Microbial strategies for copper pollution remediation: Mechanistic insights and recent advances

Environmental contamination is aninsistent concern affecting human health and the ecosystem. Wastewater, containing heavy metals from industrial activities, significantly contributes to escalating water pollution. These metals can bioaccumulate in food chains, posing health risks even at low concentrations. Copper (Cu), an essential micronutrient, becomes toxic at high levels. Activities like mining and fungicide use have led to Copper contamination in soil, water, and sediment beyond safe levels. Copper widely used in industries, demands restraint of heavy metal ion release into wastewater for ecosystem ultrafiltration, membrane filtration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, combat heavy metal pollution, with emphasis on copper.Physical and chemical approaches are efficient, large-scale feasibility may have drawbackssuch as they are costly, result in the production of sludge. In contrast, bioremediation, microbial intervention offers eco-friendly solutions for copper-contaminated soil. Bacteria and fungi facilitate these bioremediation avenues as cost-effective alternatives. This review article emphasizes on physical, chemical, and biological methods for removal of copper from the wastewater as well asdetailing microorganism's mechanisms to mobilize or immobilize copper in wastewater and soil. [Display omitted] •Copper is a vital metal for life, but too much can be toxic.•Various physical and chemical methods can remove copper from water.•Methods such as adsorption, filtration, and reverse osmosis can help reduce copper-heavy metal pollution.•Bioremediation uses living organisms to restore copper-contaminated soils.•This review explores the advantages and challenges of bioremediation methods.