Biofilm-Mediated Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Contamination of the environment with noxious polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)has increased in recent times. They are of key concern because of their toxic and mutagenic effect on living organisms. Among the various methodologies available for cleanup of contaminants, the impending bioremediation technologies are promising. Biological processes are preferred over chemical treatment as they are environmentally safe and techno-economically viable. Planktonic cultures grown under controlled laboratory conditions are extensively studied for bioremediation. However, in nature, microbiota are mostly found in the form of biofilms, whose development is supported on solid surfaces where nutrient gradients are available bacterial. Bacterial biofilms can be the potential tools for bioremediation of PAHs. They are very common in environmental and clinical settings. Biofilm is a highly rigid structure resistant to a variety of environmental problems. Therefore, optimization of bioremediation processes as per the field conditions requires a thorough knowledge of biofilm structure, dynamics, and the microbiota interaction with pollutants and other environmental factors. This chapter deals with the prospects of using biofilms for bioremediation of PAHs. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.