Nano-bioremediation for Sustainable Treatment of Waste: Applications, Advancements, and Challenges

In the past few years, rise in the concentrations of inorganic and organic pollutants has become a major concern for environment. Addressing the elimination of these harmful pollutants from the environment is complex and necessitates the utilization of physical, chemical, and biological methods. One approach that shows great promise is the combination of bioremediation and nanotechnology, known as nano-bioremediation. Extensive research has demonstrated the remarkable properties of nanomaterials, including enhanced catalysis, adsorption capabilities, and high reactivity, which have generated significant interest. A notable trend in this field is the use of fungal, bacterial, and algal cultures, as well as their extracts, components, or biomolecules, as catalysts for sustainable nanomaterial synthesis. Understanding the intricate relationship between pollutants, microorganisms, and nanoparticles is important for advancing our knowledge of their interactions. This chapter focuses on the elimination of toxic pollutants by the synergistic effects of nanoparticles and microbial technologies and exploring their applications in different fields. The resulting nanoparticles possess environmentally friendly traits, sensitivity, and biocompatibility making them highly suitable for applications in consumer industries, environmental remediation, and biomedical sciences. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of this innovative nano-bioremediation technique and its contribution to sustainability endeavors. By leveraging the combined potential of nanomaterials and microbial systems, we can pave the way for effective and environmentally friendly solutions to address pollutant remediation.