In-situ Bioremediation of Multiple Heavy Metals Contaminated Farmland Soil by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of farmland soil deteriorates the cultivated land quality, and adversely affects the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Besides, it hampers food safety, and poses a tremendous threat to human health. In this study, an in-situ bioremediation process was investigated in maize planting areas by spraying sulfate-reducing bacteria solution based on previous studies. The altered basic physical and chemical properties of heavy metals in soil were studied using the Tessier sequential extraction technique to investigate the efficiency of the bioremediation process. The environmental effects of the bioremediation process were also explored by investigating the crop characteristics. The analysis of microbial species composition was used to explore the influence of exogenous microbes on microbial composition in farmland soil. The outcomes of remediation experiments showed that the sulfate-reducing bacteria could stabilize heavy metals in soil, inhibit the uptake of heavy metals by plants, improve the quality of maize products and promote the growth of maize plants. In this study, we investigated the in-situ bioremediation of multiple heavy metals contaminated farmland soil using sulfate-reducing bacteria. The outcomes of the study revealed the unique advantages of bioremediation technology in practical application of heavy metals contaminated farmland soil.