Current perspectives in nickel bioremediation strategies

Nickel a transitional trace heavy metal is found abundantly in almost all the habitats. Natural and anthropogenic activities are the main source of nickel. It is toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, allergenic andimmunosuppressive. However, it is also essential for the metabolic activities in living cells. Though, nickel content in industrial effluents is not high, it is beyond the environmental threshold and enters into the food chain. Since, the conventional chemical treatment produces sludge and lead to disposal problem, biological materials have emerged as an ecofriendly and economical options. This review concentrates on the recent trends in bioremediation strategies of nickel from the soil and industrial effluents using microbes and plants.