Comparative Assessment of Live and Dead Thermophilic Bacterial Isolates of Surya Kund Hot Spring, Yamunotri for the Bioremediation of Cu <sup>2+</sup>
Shailesh K. Vishwakarma, Anjali Patil, Anshika Verma, Manali Kaintura, Mamta Arya
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution, especially copper (Cu2+) contamination, poses significant threats to ecosystems and human health due to its persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Traditional methods of copper remediation are often expensive and generate secondary pollution, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. Bioremediation, leveraging the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, offers a promising solution. This study investigates the bioremediation potential of copper ions (Cu2+) using thermophilic bacterial isolates from the Surya Kund Hot Spring in the Western Garhwal Himalayas (Uttarakhand). Both live and dead bacterial cells were tested for their ability to remove Cu2+ from contaminated solution, and thermophilic dead cells showing significantly higher bioremediation efficiency. Isolates Y12-II (Pseudomonas alloputida strain BG-3) and Y10 (Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus strain NBRC 15656) exhibited the highest bioremediation rates, achieving up to 51.97% and 50.82% for the Cu2+ removal, respectively. The findings suggest dead bacterial biomass offers a promising approach for the passive bioremediation of heavy metal contamination. However, recent advancements in microbial isolation, genetic engineering, and metagenomics have expanded our understanding of bacterial metal resistance mechanisms and enhanced copper remediation strategies. This study reveals the potential of bioremediation as a sustainable approach to address Cu2+ metal pollution, contributing to environmental restoration and public health safety.