International Journal of Environmental Sciences

In the context of bioremediation, solubilization of metal contaminants serves a means of their removal from solid matrices, such as soils, sediments, dumps and other solid industrial wastes. In the present study, three bacterial species Staphylococcus sp, Streptomyces sp and Flavobacterium sp were acclimatized for heavy metal removal. The waste samples (solid and liquid waste) were collected from six cities viz. Dehradun, Rishikesh, Hardwar, Mussoorie, Kashipur, and Roorkee as per standard method given by APHA 1998. These waste samples were used for bioremediation by the acclimated bacteria. Staphylococcus sp. and Streptomyces sp. biosorbed the three metals viz. chromium copper and lead while Flavobacterium sp. biosorbed only two metals copper and cadmium with very low efficiency. The bioremediation potential of Staphylococcus sp. was 42%, 45% and 82.6% for copper, chromium and lead respectively. In case of Streptomyces sp, it was potent for chromium removal, the potency order was Cr>>Pd>Cu while the bioremediation potential was 18%, 72% and 32.5% for copper, chromium and lead respectively. The third acclimated bacterium Flavobacterium sp was a week bioremediation agent. It reduced copper and cadmium metals with 20.3% and 25% respectively. It was concluded from the above study that Streptomyces sp. and Staphylococcus sp. were very potent to remove chromium and lead heavy metals form the waste. The acclimated bacteria adapted to various resistance and catabolic potentials. This catabolic potential of microbes is enormously advantageous to mankind for achieving a cleaner and healthier environment through bioremediation.