Get Rid of Marine Pollution: Bioremediation an Innovative, Attractive, and Successful Cleaning Strategy

Abstract

Aquatic environmental pollution is a rather worrying and increasingly topical problem that requires the development and promotion of innovative and ecofriendly technologies. Pollutants in water include many common substances that can reach aquatic ecosystems through several pathways including wastewater, the atmosphere, ship discharges, and many other sources. Most of these toxic compounds are internalized by aquatic organisms, leading to bioaccumulation in tissues and reaching any level of the food chain through the biomagnification process. These mechanisms can develop into adverse effects on the physiology of organisms and biochemical processes of natural ecosystems, thus affecting animals, environments, and indirectly, human health. Innovative technologies to tackle marine pollution include bioremediation: a suitable, biological, and ecological approach that enhances the ability of micro-organisms to transform waste and toxic substances into forms that can be used by other organisms. In this context, micro-organisms appear to be essential for the detoxification of aquatic systems due to their metabolic activity. This review provides a careful analysis of the characteristics of the main pollutants that affect aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on their effects on organisms and environments. It also offers clear guidance on innovative biological strategies that can be employed to prevent, limit, and remediate anthropogenic influences on aquatic environments.