Biotransformation of radionuclides: Trends and challenges

Abstract

Radioactive contamination poses risks to environment and human health. The microbial-mediated transformation presents opportunity for the remediation of radionuclide contamination of the environment by immobilizing them or accelerating their removal. This chapter aims to interpret the mechanisms by which microbes interact with their surroundings to eliminate radionuclides of concern from the environment and how they influence the behavior and transport of radionuclides. Recent advances in microbial ecology have provided molecular strategies for the modeling of microbial process in order to increase the effectiveness and reliability of bioremediation and natural attenuation of polluted sites.