Solution to the Arsenic Problem in West Bengal: Exploring Some Non-Conventional Ways

Authors

  • Debjani Mandal Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Manali Biswas Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Bibhas Bhattacharyya Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Indranil Saha Department of Chemistry, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Debabrata Mandal Department of Zoology, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Shamsuzzaman Ahmed Principal and Department of Chemistry, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India
  • Abhishek Basu Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Sripat Singh College, Murshidabad, India

Keywords:

arsenic-resistant bacteria, bioaccumulation, bioremediation, clinical manifestation of arsenic toxicity, Fe-based bimetallic oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Some districts of West Bengal have severe arsenic contamination of soil and groundwater. The clinical manifestations of arsenic toxicity include severe skin lesions; diseases of respiratory, cardiovascular, excretory system, hepatological, haematological and neurological disorders; and even death. We have isolated arsenic-resistant bacteria which have the adaptability to survive in high arsenic concentration, accumulate arsenic and convert it to its less toxic form. Therefore, we propose bioremediation as a cost-effective and convenient tool to mitigate the problem of arsenic toxicity. Also, we propose to synthesise Fe-based bimetallic oxide nanoparticles for removal of arsenic from contaminated water.

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Published

2018-08-13

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2018)

Section

Articles