Utilization of Biosurfactants in Remediation of Environmental Media Contaminated with Heavy Metals

Abstract

This review deals with the application of biosurfactants (such as rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, surfactin and saponins) to the remediation of environmental media contaminated with heavy metals. Most of these biosurfactants being anionic are able to remove metal ions (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) from contaminated soils and sediments with high efficiency. Soil pH and its type, cation exchange capacity, sediment composition, particle size, permeabilities and the presence of other contaminants affect their removal efficiencies. However, more information is required such as on the relations among biosurfactant structure, contaminant removal and composition of contamina­ted material.