Bacterial isolation from saline soils for sustainable bioremediation of perchlorate

Abstract

Abstract

The perchlorate (ClO4-), is one of the most ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants because of its wide range of uses in propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics and industrial processes. It is highly soluble in water, and can be readily distributed through soil and groundwater, causing high environmental and human health risks by inhibiting the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland. Microbial reduction has become a popular choice as a sustainable remediation and affordable solution, offering a better alternative to traditional physical and chemical treatment methods. The research was focused on finding, recognizing, and studying microorganisms that can reduce perchlorate, which helps in reducing perchlorate pollution. Molecular analysis using the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the effective perchlorate-degrading bacteria is Acinetobacter baumannii, (ATCC 19606; NCBI GenBank accession no. ON366408.1). The isolate showed quick breakdown of perchlorate on its own and was able to adjust well to salty conditions, showing it likes salty environments and could be useful for cleaning up polluted areas with high salt levels. The decline in perchlorate levels in polluted sediments and soil shows that nature might be able to clean it up on its own. These findings highlight the potential of halotolerant perchlorate-reducing bacteria as promising for the development of efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly bioremediation strategies for perchlorate-contaminated ecosystems.