Unlocking the potential of soil microbial communities for bioremediation of emerging organic contaminants: omics-based approaches

The article examines the potential of soil microbial communities and advanced omics technologies to tackle environmental contamination caused by emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). These contaminants, which include pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics, and industrial chemicals, present significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Their persistence in the environment, even after advanced wastewater treatment, makes finding effective removal solutions a pressing challenge.

Omics aims at the collective characterization and quantification of pools of biological molecules that translate into the structure, function, and dynamics of an organism or organisms.

Bioremediation, emerges as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical and physical remediation methods. However, its application is hindered by several challenges, like the difficulty in culturing many microorganisms or steering interactions within microbial consortia that are often unpredictable. Bioremediation has limitations, such as its slower pace, potential toxic byproducts, and the risk of spreading antibiotic resistance through contaminated nutrients like manure or sewage sludge. Despite these challenges, microbial bioremediation remains a promising approach for tackling emerging organic contaminants, though it may not fully eliminate all pollutants, and its efficiency depends on environmental conditions and the type of contaminants.

Omics-based approaches, such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, offer promising solutions by identifying microbial populations capable of degrading contaminants. These methods help uncover hidden microbial communities and their roles in pollutant removal, allowing for the discovery of new microbes and enzymes for bioremediation. By using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics, researchers can enhance our understanding of soil bioremediation, especially for emerging organic pollutants, and improve remediation strategies. This review zooms in on the several omic approaches:

In conclusion, the study highlights the untapped potential of combining soil microbial communities with omics technologies to create efficient and sustainable solutions for EOC remediation. This integrated approach not only addresses current environmental challenges but also paves the way for innovative applications in environmental management and pollution control.

The study “Unlocking the potential of soil microbial communities for bioremediation of emerging organic contaminants: omics-based approaches” was published in Microbial Cell Factories.