Introduction

The detoxification of soils and other environments (water and air) from potentially toxic compounds (metals, radioactive or inorganic compounds) is a challenging task for all countries, independently of their development level. The discovery of the biochemical diversity of microorganisms has led to various biotechnological applications, including bioremediation. The concept of bioremediation, which uses vascular plants (tracheophytes), algae, microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) to soil remediation, wastewater treatment or indoor air sanitation, is nowadays a research field of high interest. This book defines the various mechanisms of action of bioremediation: phytoremediation (phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, plant volatilization, or rhizofiltration) and microbial remediation (Biotransformation, biosorption). It provides not only basic definitions and classification of technologies used for contaminant remediation but also the most recent studies dealing with the selection of new promising microbial stains and plant varieties involved in the treatment of radioactive and heavy metals contaminants.