ABSTRACT
Concentrations of heavy metals in the environment increase alarmingly. Heavy metals deeply affect biological systems either positively, because they are essential in low concentrations, or negatively because they are toxic. Bioremediation using microorganisms is a potential strategy for the decontamination of natural environments modified mainly by anthropogenic activities; however, the application of free microorganisms presents many limitations. Immobilized cells have been extensively used as an important tool in some biotechnological processes because the immobilization increases cellular stability and survival. The use of immobilized microbial cells, as well as their metabolites capable of modifying toxic substances in natural environments, offers a promising alternative which is more environmentally friendly than the conventional strategies used so far. A better understanding of these processes and the physiology of immobilized microorganisms will contribute to the implementation of this technology in processes such as effluent treatment or bioremediation.
This chapter compiles works focused on the use of cells or microbial metabolites in immobilized systems as a promising tool for heavy metals removal.
