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Bioremediation approach for treatment of soil contaminated with radiocesium

Abstract:

Radioactive cesium contamination of the environment due to nuclear weapons testing, nuclear reactor accidents, and past waste disposal practices at nuclear facilities is a major concern. Much attention is given to 137Cs because of its γ-radiation, long half-life, and solubility in water. Cs contamination of the soils at Chernobyl and Fukushima was mainly confined to the topsoil layer. Several remediation methods such as physical (soil excavation), chemical extraction, and bioremediation using plants and microorganisms have been proposed. To date, no cost-effective techniques for cleaning the soils contaminated with cesium have been found. Microorganisms play a key role in the transformations of toxic metals and radionuclides in contaminated soils and wastes. In this chapter, we review the potential bioremediation of Cs contamination using microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, mycorrhizae, and algae and microbial by-products.