Nanobiotechnology approaches for the remediation of persistent and emerging organic pollutants: strategies, interactions, and effectiveness

The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging contaminants (ECs) in the environment is a global concern due to their widespread use and resistance to degradation, further exacerbated by their tendency to accumulate in living organisms. Addressing the need to mitigate the harmful and cumulative impacts of pollution in the environment requires the development of effective and sustainable techniques for reducing these xenobiotics. Nanobiotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that combines nanotechnology and biotechnology to mitigate these environmental challenges, offering innovative solutions. Among them, nanomaterial-assisted bioremediation or nanobioremediation stands out as a promising alternative due to its versatility in combining properties that enable the development of customized remediation systems tailored to specific needs. This feasibility stems from the metabolic diversity and adaptability of microbial enzymatic machinery for the degradation of organic compounds, synergized with the extensive properties offered by nanoscale materials. This study provides an overview of nanobiotechnological systems developed to address halogenated POPs and emerging contaminants derived from pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). It discusses their methods of application, effectiveness, and the synergies resulting from the combination of nanomaterials and microorganisms, as well as some of their interaction mechanisms. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of utilizing clays as a source of potentially modifiable natural nanomaterials with excellent properties for the development of sustainable hybrid remediation systems. Finally, the prospects and needs in this field of research are discussed.