Biodegradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents pose enduring threats to aquatic environments owing to their resistance to chemical and biological breakdown. Biodegradation, the microbial-mediated transformation of these compounds into simpler, less toxic forms, underpins many natural attenuation and engineered remediation strategies. In aquatic systems, indigenous bacteria and fungi deploy enzymatic pathways—often initiated by monooxygenases and dioxygenases—to oxidise or dehalogenate pollutant molecules. The efficiency of these processes is governed by environmental parameters including temperature, pH, nutrient availability and redox conditions, as well as the bioavailability of target chemicals. Biofilms and sediment-associated consortia often enhance biodegradation through synergistic interactions and co-metabolism, in which ancillary substrates stimulate the breakdown of recalcitrant pollutants. Advances in molecular methods, such as high-resolution sequencing and stable isotope probing, have elucidated the dynamics and diversity of degrader communities in situ. Complementary physicochemical approaches—such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)—can be coupled with biodegradation to achieve more complete mineralisation. The integration of these strategies underpins scalable solutions for water treatment, groundwater remediation and ecosystem restoration, carrying global significance for protecting human health and biodiversity.

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Biodegradation of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biodegradation of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): Organic compounds that resist environmental degradation and accumulate in aquatic ecosystems.

Biodegradation: Microbial breakdown of organic contaminants into simpler, less harmful molecules.

Monooxygenase: An enzyme that incorporates one oxygen atom from molecular oxygen into substrate molecules during the initial step of biodegradation.

Bioaugmentation: The deliberate addition of microbial strains or consortia to enhance pollutant degradation in contaminated environments.

Monod kinetics: A mathematical model describing the relationship between microbial growth rate and substrate concentration.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs): Chemical treatment methods that generate reactive species to oxidise and degrade recalcitrant organic pollutants.

References

1. Rapid Metabolism of 1,4-Dioxane to below Health Advisory Levels by Thiamine-Amended Rhodococcus ruber Strain 219. Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2021).
2. Isolation and Characterization of Novel Bacteria Capable of Degrading 1,4-Dioxane in the Presence of Diverse Co-Occurring Compounds. Microorganisms (2021).
3. Recent Advances in 1,4-Dioxane Removal Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment. Water (2023).