Biological methods for speciation of heavy metals: different approaches

Abstract

Heavy metals are found in their different forms in the environment. The distribution, mobility, and toxicity of metals are strongly related to these different forms. This necessitates the exploration of different methods for the remediation and speciation of heavy metals. Some direct and indirect physico-chemical methods such as filtration, chemical precipitation, ion-exchange, electro deposition, and membrane systems have been used for the last four decades. However, it is only in last few years that reliable biological methods have also been used. The biological methods include the use of microorganisms (fungi, algae, bacteria), plants (live or dead) and biopolymers. The use of these methods for the speciation of heavy metals is reviewed here.

Keywords::

• Biopolymers
• bioremediation
• metal toxicity
• microorganisms
• plants

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to the referees for their valuable comments. Authors are grateful to Prof D.K. Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chancellor, GGS Indraprastha University and Prof. Ashwini Kumar, Principal, IGIT and Dean, University School of Engineering and Technology, GGS Indraprastha University for their encouragement and support.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.