Marine Microorganisms in Environmental Bioremediation: Mechanisms, Applications and Future Perspectives

Marine ecosystems represent one of the largest reservoirs of microbial diversity on Earth, harboring a wide range of microorganisms that play essential roles in nutrient cycling and environmental sustainability. Among these, marine microorganisms have gained
increasing attention for their potential applications in environmental bioremediation. The increasing discharge of pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and industrial chemicals into marine environments has created significant ecological challenges. Marine microorganisms possess unique metabolic capabilities that allow them to degrade, transform, or detoxify these harmful pollutants into less toxic forms. Due to the extreme and dynamic conditions of marine habitats, these microbes
have evolved specialized enzymatic systems and metabolic pathways that enable them to survive under high salinity, pressure, and variable temperatures while maintaining their biodegradation efficiency. Various groups of marine microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and microalgae, contribute significantly to the natural remediation processes occurring in marine ecosystems.These organisms can metabolize complex organic compounds, absorb heavy metals, and break down synthetic materials such as plastics.The present chapter discusses the diversity of marine microorganisms involved in environmental bioremediation, the mechanisms through which they degrade pollutants, and the various environmental applications of these microbes. Additionally, the chapter highlights recent advancements in marine microbial biotechnology and emphasizes the future prospects for developing sustainable and efficient bioremediation strategies based on marine microbial resources.