OVERVIEW OF THE BIOREMEDIATION TECHNOLOGY ON SELECTED ORGANOHALIDES

Abstract

E-wastes are rapidly growing and reaching 53.6 metric tons in 2019. The recycling of e-waste can contaminate soils and sediments via the release of toxic metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, dioxins, and furans. These organohalide compounds are also listed in the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The structural stability of these organohalide compounds facilitates to persist in varying conditions of environments. Three bioremediation technologies – monitored natural attenuation, biostimulation, and bioaugmentation working on anaerobic and aerobic respiration can degrade and detoxify these compounds. Bioaugmentation experiment confirms that three strains of Dehalococcoides mccartyi – CG1, CG4, and CG5 can detoxify polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The adoption of bioremediation technologies is in alignment with nature and they are efficient and sustainable alternatives without adverse impacts.