How metallophiles can help address heavy metal pollution from industrialization
Metallophiles hold great potential in remediating sites of heavy metal contamination and can also be used in rare earth metal discovery, among other useful applications.
Certain species of microbes have evolved to survive in harsh environments, even those that were previously thought to be too extreme to support life. These include environments, such as mines and industrial sewage, that are rich in heavy metals. On the other hand, human exposure to toxic levels of metals, like cadmium and mercury, is known to lead to health risks, including cancer and damage to multiple organ systems.
Heavy metals induce cellular damage through competition with optimal metals for vital protein binding sites or through oxidative stress, which can damage DNA and other cellular components. With the increase in heavy metal pollution in the environment since the Industrial Revolution, there has been a mounting need for effective remediation methods.