University of Guilan Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences 1735-3033 24 2 2026 04 01 Biotechnological approaches for environmental remediation: Recent advances, mechanisms, and future perspectives 295 304 9615 10.22124/cjes.2026.9615 EN Sholpan S. Shynybekova Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Damira Tattibayeva Almaty Technological University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Gulshat D. Anarbekova Kazakh National Women’s Pedagogical University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Almaty, Kazakhstan Rinat S. Sarsengaliyev West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University named after Zhangir Khan, NJS, Uralsk, Kazakhstan Lailya M. Baibolatova Department of Normal Physiology with a course in Biophysics, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Lazzat S. Seitmagzimova Almaty Technological University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Gabit Sharipov Department of Civil Defense and Military Training, Malik Gabdullin Academy of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kokshetau, Kazakhstan Sarzhan Sharipova Department of Toxicological Chemistry, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan Journal Article 2026 05 18 This study evaluated biotechnological remediation approaches for three common contamination scenarios in Kazakhstan: oil hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and organochlorine pesticides. Work was conducted between March and October 2025, combining a systematic literature review with laboratory and field microcosm experiments using indigenous microorganisms and native plants. A bacterial consortium of Pseudomonas putida, P. aeruginosa, and Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from an oil spill site near Atyrau degraded 73.6% of total petroleum hydrocarbons (from 4,850 to 1,280 mg kg-1) in 12 weeks when combined with nutrient addition – significantly higher than natural attenuation (13%) or nutrients alone (24%, p < 0.001). Phytoextraction using Artemisia sublessingiana and Salix alba on highly contaminated soil from Ust‑Kamenogorsk (Pb 418, Zn 887, Cd 8.5 mg kg-1) removed 12–18% of soil metals in one growing season, with shoot bioconcentration factors of 0.23–0.38. Mycoremediation with Pleurotus ostreatus degraded 72% of lindane and 67% of ΣDDT in contaminated soil from the Almaty region within eight weeks. All three methods were far cheaper (8–30 USD m-³) than conventional excavation (150–500 USD m-³), but none achieved full regulatory compliance in the experimental timeframe. We conclude that biotechnological remediation in Kazakhstan is not a standalone complete cleanup but a highly effective first‑stage treatment that reduces pollutant loads by 60–75%, after which remaining hot spots can be excavated conventionally. This hybrid strategy offers the most practical, affordable path forward for managing the country’s widespread contamination.

https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_9615_a1919700b874a022ee9fbe9d6a92d16c.pdf