Characterization of mercury bioremediation by transgenic bacteria expressing metallothionein and polyphosphate kinase

Bioremediation presents a potentially low cost and environmentally agreeable alternative to current physico-chemical remediation strategies. However, heavy metals such as mercury cannot be converted into non-toxic forms by naturally occurring bacteria. Annual global emissions estimates for mercury released into the environment are in the thousands of tons per year [1,2] while the remediation cost is in the thousands of dollars per pound. Finding new bioremediation technologies is an urgent need. Mercury is released into the environment as a result of human activities and natural events. Ionic and metallic forms of mercury can accumulate in sediments where they can be converted into highly toxic methyl mercury by bacteria. Further biomagnification of mercury through trophic levels...