Bioremediation of heavy metals in Mexico: techniques and trends of use for application in mining activities

Abstract

Bioremediation applied as a recover technique for soils contaminated by heavy metals is a tool with potential under development to recuperate soils damaged by mining activities in Mexico. The aim of this study was to compile information related to the different methods of bioremediation of heavy metals in soils in Mexico, which can later be applied to degraded soils contaminated by mining activities. To achieve this, a documental search was carried out for mexican scientific papers published between 2000 and 2020 in several databases, using keywords in Spanish and English. A total of 52 experimental papers were registered in 15 of the states, among which bioremediation techniques that involve the individual or conjugated use of plants, bacteria and fungi were the most studied. Within these, the use of plants, also called phytoremediation, was the method of interest among authors.