Biotechnological approaches for environmental remediation: Recent advances, mechanisms, and future perspectives

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

2 Almaty Technological University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

3 Kazakh National Women’s Pedagogical University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Almaty, Kazakhstan

4 West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University named after Zhangir Khan, NJS, Uralsk, Kazakhstan

5 Department of Normal Physiology with a course in Biophysics, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

6 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

7 Department of Toxicological Chemistry, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.9615

Abstract

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.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 295-304

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