Microbial Consortia, a Viable Alternative for Cleanup of Contaminated Soils

Abstract

The growth population and anthropogenic activity are constantly threatening the environment caused by the accumulation of different kinds of pollutants in the biosphere, especially in soils and sediments. Co-contaminated of environment with toxic organic and inorganic substance is often actually. For the remediation of soils contaminated with mainly petroleum, pesticide and heavy metals, several physical or chemical techniques have been developed inadequately. Inside the technologies "eco-friendly remediation", the bioremediation have emerged as an option using natural biological activity. Bioremediation are methods where microorganisms degrade one or various pollutants to non-toxic compounds, so working individually or coordinately inside a microbial consortium. A microbial consortium is the natural association of two or more microbial populations of different species, which act together in a complex system. The success of a bioremediation process with pure cultures is very low and restricted. Therefore, use of a microbial consortium appears to be more feasible and reliable. The chapter aims to review of the techniques for the elimination or degradation of pollutants using microbial consortia and highlight the importance of microbial consortia assessment. Also afford a discussion on the application of these techniques to the development of strategies and remediation policies.