Editorial: Micropollutants in the Environment: Challenges and Bioremediation Strategies

Over the years, the load of inorganic and organic micropollutants in the environment has significantly increased, threatening our daily lives. Chemicals used in agriculture, industries, and power generation, as well as wastewater treatment and medical technology, are some of the major polluters [1]. Though the use of recycled wastewater is increasing, there are concerns about human health and environmental impacts related to the presence of biologically active micropollutants that could cause side effects, such as genetic damage, mutations, and cancer [2, 3]. The risks of environmentally derived micropollutants to ecosystems and human health are still not fully understood [4]. Pollution monitoring is the quantitative or qualitative assessment of the occurrence, consequence, or concentration of any polluting substance in a defined environment. Accurate measurements are required to generate reliable data for forecasting and managing pollution risks [5]. The biological tools available for monitoring environmental pollution are based on biomarkers that are typically indigenous to the site of investigation and have been exposed to local environmental conditions over extended periods of time. A biomarker is a biological response measured in an organism that is naturally exposed to a study site that serves as an indicator of the presence and effect of environmental pollutants. The quantitative, sensitive, and specific biological response to be quantified is ideal [6]. Through the broad biodegradation capabilities developed by microorganisms towards undesirable organic compounds, bioremediation may be used to restore contaminated soils [7, 8]. Recent advancements in bioremediation techniques over the last two decades have focused on the critical goal of successfully restoring polluted environments in an economically and environmentally friendly manner. Diverse bioremediation techniques have been developed to rehabilitate polluted environments. Bioremediation can be carried out using