Plant-Microbe-Assisted Approaches for Remediating Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutant Contamination in Electronic...

Electronic devices have become an indispensable commodity in the modern world, greatly contributing to ease and comfort in daily life. However, this excessive dependence has given rise to ever-increasing piles of electronic waste (e-waste) generated at a rate of 2 million metric tons per year, which is disassembled and disposed of carelessly, due to unregulated management, negligence, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of proper policies and legislation. E-waste contains hazardous elements, such as heavy metals and organic pollutants, which infiltrate the soil, changing its physicochemical characteristics and the microbiome composition. They hinder plant growth and pose serious health risks to animals and humans when they enter the food chain. Although different physical and chemical techniques exist for recycling disposed materials, alternative methods based on the use of biological means are gaining attention because of their environmental friendliness. This review is an attempt to underline the efficacy of biological remediation in alleviating heavy metal contamination in an environmentally sustainable manner. The composition of e-waste and its deteriorating impact on soil health and plant growth are discussed, with a focus on biological remediation of e-waste-induced pollution, including plant (phytoremediation)- and microbe-mediated (bioremediation) remediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants. The biological mechanisms underlying these remediation processes are described, and advances in the field, facilitated by modern biotechnological tools such as nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and gene editing, are highlighted to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of these remediation approaches in mitigating the environmental impacts of e-waste-induced pollution and to outline directions for future investigations.