Hu Ting

Bio: Hu Ting is an academic researcher from Southwest Petroleum University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biodegradation & Nitrifying bacteria. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 6 citations.

Use of immobilized bacteria for environmental bioremediation: A review

Abstract: Bioremediation is traditionally carried out using ‘free’ bacterial cells; however, in recent years, utilization of ‘immobilized’ bacterial cells has gained attention as a promising technique due to multifarious benefits. This review collates a vast amount of existing literature on the myriad contaminants treated using immobilized bacteria. We also discuss various mechanistic aspects of using immobilized cells for environmental remediation applications, with special attention on cells encapsulated in hydrogels and their implementation in detoxifying harmful contaminants and environmental cleanup. We examine different methods/techniques for immobilizing viable bacterial cells in various supporting matrices, use of single- and multi-species bacterial communities, various growth substrates, and factors affecting the remediation process including mass transfer, kinetic processes and bioreactor configurations used in pilot and field-scale applications. The advantages and limitations associated with the use of immobilized bacteria in a bioreactor for contaminated water treatment are also discussed. From a sustainable futures perspective, resource recovery and retrieval of value-added products along with bioremediation could be an added benefit of the immobilized cell-based treatment system, making it a more cost-effective and viable treatment strategy as well as one that is amenable to the principles of circular economy.

Integrating Biochar, Bacteria, and Plants for Sustainable Remediation of Soils Contaminated with Organic Pollutants

Abstract: The contamination of soil with organic pollutants has been accelerated by agricultural and industrial development and poses a major threat to global ecosystems and human health. Various chemical and physical techniques have been developed to remediate soils contaminated with organic pollutants, but challenges related to cost, efficacy, and toxic byproducts often limit their sustainability. Fortunately, phytoremediation, achieved through the use of plants and associated microbiomes, has shown great promise for tackling environmental pollution; this technology has been tested both in the laboratory and in the field. Plant–microbe interactions further promote the efficacy of phytoremediation, with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) often used to assist the remediation of organic pollutants. However, the efficiency of microbe-assisted phytoremediation can be impeded by (i) high concentrations of secondary toxins, (ii) the absence of a suitable sink for these toxins, (iii) nutrient limitations, (iv) the lack of continued release of microbial inocula, and (v) the lack of shelter or porous habitats for planktonic organisms. In this regard, biochar affords unparalleled positive attributes that make it a suitable bacterial carrier and soil health enhancer. We propose that several barriers can be overcome by integrating plants, PGPB, and biochar for the remediation of organic pollutants in soil. Here, we explore the mechanisms by which biochar and PGPB can assist plants in the remediation of organic pollutants in soils, and thereby improve soil health. We analyze the cost-effectiveness, feasibility, life cycle, and practicality of this integration for sustainable restoration and management of soil.

A perspective on the interaction between biochar and soil microbes: A way to regain soil eminence.

Abstract: Soil ecosystem imparts a fundamental role in the growth and survival of the living creatures. The interaction between living and non-living constituents of the environment is important for the regulation of life in the ecosystem. Biochar is a carbon rich product present in the soil that is responsible for various applications in diversified fields. In this review, we focused on the collaboration between the soil, biochar and microbial community present in the soil and consequences of it in the ecosystem. Herein, it primarily discusses on the different approaches of the production and characterization of biochar. Furthermore, this review also discusses about the optimistic interaction of biochar with soil microbes and their role in plant growth. Eventually, it reveals the various physio-chemical properties of biochar, including its specific surface area, porous nature, ion exchange capacity, and pH, which aid in the modification of the soil environment. Furthermore, it elaborately discloses the impact of the biochar addition in the soil focusing mainly on its interaction with microbial communities such as bacteria and fungi. The physicochemical properties of biochar significantly interact with microbes and improve the beneficial microbes growth and increase soil nutrients, which resulting reasonable plant growth. The main focus remains on the role of biochar-soil microbiota in remediation of pollutants, soil amendment and inhibition of pathogenicity among plants by promoting resistance potential. It highlights the fact that adding biochar to soil modulates the soil microbial community by increasing soil fertility, paving the way for its use in farming, and pollutant removal.