ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the mechanisms of microbially mediated mobilization and immobilization of heavy metals are reviewed in the context of bioremediation of contaminated environments. Microbial oxidative and reductive dissolution and organotrophic leaching of toxic elements from minerals, tailings, contaminated soil, and sediments are described as the main strategies for the treatment of solid-phase environments. In turn, biosorption and bioprecipitation are presented as the main driving forces for scavenging metal and metalloid ions from water and wastewater. All of these heavy metal transformations have been considered in terms of their self-purification potential as well as their applicability in various engineering remediation technologies.
