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.