HEAVY METAL TOLERANCE MECHANISMS IN MICROORGANISMS - A REVIEWPREETI KANWAR, NIKITA GOSWAMI AND TULIKA MISHRAAbstract Contamination of environment because of use of organic and inorganic chemicals and their accidental leakage has reached up to the level of ecosystem. In this regard several conventional techniques have been put to use but for environmental restoration microbial bioremediation has been the most understood biotechnological process. In biotransformation of heavy metals their role to convert heavy metals to innocuous forms is well-documented, and understanding the molecular mechanism of metal accumulation has numerous biotechnological implications for bioremediation of metal- contaminated sites. Microbes have various mechanisms of metal sequestration which are involved in the resistance and their tolerance to excess concentrations of heavy metals in the environment thus aiming to avoid the buildup of excess metal levels. Studies have been carried out throughout the world and new bacterial strains that have plasmid linked degradation / reduction ability are discovered. Research carried out in this area, regarding the role of microorganisms in remediation of heavy metals is discussed in this review paper. |