Research progress on microbial remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil

Abstract Heavy metal pollution of soil is a widespread global issue characterized by both latent toxicity and persistent environmental impacts. The accumulated concentrations of heavy metals in these soils over decades of rapid social development have posed serious threats to both natural ecosystems and human health. Therefore, addressing heavy metal pollution of soil has become an urgent priority. In research, the primary sources and hazards of heavy metal pollution of soil were analyzed as well as the advantages and limitations of several traditional remediation techniques, with particular emphasis on microbial remediation technology. In addition, the remediation mechanisms, the synergistic remediation technologies, and potential future development directions for microbial remediation were also reviewed. However, large-scale practical implementation of microbial remediation remains a major challenge, with numerous technical hurdles yet to be overcome. This comprehensive review outlined the remediation mechanisms, synergistic approaches, and future trends in microbial remediation. Notably, the development of microbial synergistic remediation technology has emerged as a research hotspot in heavy metal contaminated soil remediation, offering valuable insights for advancing this critical field.