ABSTRACT
Environmental pollution is a widespread problem for soil and water resources resulting from organic and inorganic pollutants. These pollutants are highly persistent and accumulate in soil and water resources. They are extremely toxic for all living organisms and can be a problem in terms of contamination of food chains; thus, their removal from the environment has garnered worldwide attention. Accordingly, the important role of bioremediation using either plants or microorganisms has been considered as a topic of interest nowadays. In comparison with conventional techniques, bioremediation methods are economical, compatible with the environment, publicly favourable, and capable of removing different pollutants like heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and pesticides from soil and water. Thus, due to the increasing load of organic and inorganic contaminants in the environment, it is essential to understand how they are broken down in the environment. This chapter revises some concepts to illustrate the degradation of organic and inorganic contaminants.
