Microbial interaction with and tolerance of radionuclides: underlying mechanisms and biotechnological applications

• Published in: Microbial biotechnology Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 810 - 828
• Main Authors: Lopez‐Fernandez, Margarita, Jroundi, Fadwa, Ruiz‐Fresneda, Miguel A., Merroun, Mohamed L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-05-2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Accidental release; Anthropogenic factors; Aquifers; Bioavailability; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioremediation; Biotechnology; Chemical elements; Community structure; Contaminated sediments; Ecosystem; Environmental conditions; Environmental impact; Fuel reprocessing; Heavy metals; Human influences; Humans; Islam; Metagenomics; Metals; Microbial Interactions; Microorganisms; Mine tailings; Mine wastes; Mining; Minireview; Minireviews; Nuclear accidents & safety; Nuclear fuel reprocessing; Nuclear fuel reprocessing plants; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear weapons; PCB; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Radioisotopes; Toxicity; Uranium; Spain
• ISSN: 1751-7915; 1751-7915
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13718

Radionuclide polluted environments harbor microbial species highly tolerant to these elements through mechanisms like biosorption, biotransformation, biomineralization and intracellular accumulation. The microbial‐ radionuclide interaction processes have a great potential for biotechnological applications. This review provides the state‐ of‐ the‐ art of all aspects of these investigations.
Summary
Radionuclides (RNs) generated by nuclear and civil industries are released in natural ecosystems and may have a hazardous impact on human health and the environment. RN‐polluted environments harbour different microbial species that become highly tolerant of these elements through mechanisms including biosorption, biotransformation, biomineralization and intracellular accumulation. Such microbial–RN interaction processes hold biotechnological potential for the design of bioremediation strategies to deal with several contamination problems. This paper, with its multidisciplinary approach, provides a state‐of‐the‐art review of most research endeavours aimed to elucidate how microbes deal with radionuclides and how they tolerate ionizing radiations. In addition, the most recent findings related to new biotechnological applications of microbes in the bioremediation of radionuclides and in the long‐term disposal of nuclear wastes are described and discussed.