Microbial Bioremediation of Water Pollution: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Industrial Challenges

Abstract

Water pollution produced by industrial waste poses a significant threat to public health and aquatic ecosystems. Microbial bioremediation proposes a hopeful, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative for reducing water pollution through the metabolic activities of bacteria, fungi, algae, and bacteriophages. This systematic review follows the PRISMA method, analyzes the effectiveness of various microorganisms in degrading pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and microplastics. The review indicates that bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas and Bacillus species, show high efficiency in hydrocarbon and pesticide degradation, while fungi such as Aspergillus and Trametes are crucial in organic pollutant decomposition through extracellular enzymes. Algae and cyanobacteria contribute to the degradation of heavy metals, at the same time, bacteriophages facilitate hydrocarbon degradation via genetic transfer to bacterial hosts. However, large-scale implementation faces challenges, including environmental variability, microbial viability, and regulatory limitations. Future research should focus on optimizing microbial consortia, enhancing bioremediation efficiency under fluctuating conditions, and developing industrial-scale technology. This review provides insights into microbial bioremediation strategies and focuses on improving their practical application in environmental restoration.