Arsenic and Microorganisms: Genes, Molecular Mechanisms, and Recent Advances in Microbial Arsenic Bioremediation

Abstract

Throughout history, cases of arsenic poisoning have been reported worldwide, and the highly toxic effects of arsenic to humans, plants, and animals are well documented. Continued anthropogenic activities related to arsenic contamination in soil and water, as well as its persistency and lethality, have allowed arsenic to remain a pollutant of high interest and concern. Constant scrutiny has eventually resulted in new and better techniques to mitigate it. Among these, microbial remediation has emerged as one of the most important due to its reliability, safety, and sustainability. Over the years, numerous microorganisms have been successfully shown to remove arsenic from various environmental matrices. This review provides an overview of the interactions between microorganisms and arsenic, the different mechanisms utilized by microorganisms to detoxify arsenic, as well as current trends in the field of microbial-based bioremediation of arsenic. While the potential of microbial bioremediation of arsenic is notable, further studies focusing on the field-scale applicability of this technology is warranted.