DOT, lindane heptachlor, chlordane, malathion etc., are biodegraded by several bacteria, and fungi. These microbes are thus efficient purifiers of the environment. Details are given in Chapter on Environmental Microbiology: Agricultural Microbiology: Biodeterioration, Biodegradation, Pest Control.
Besides this, microbes are also able to remove toxic heavy metals from industrial wastes. Some bacteria are also able to metabolise hydrocarbons in the petroleum and thus very useful in removal of oil-spills and grease from water bodies. A strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been developed in USA which is able to produce a glycolipid emulsifier that reduces the surface tension of an oil- water interface, thus removing oil from water. For removal of grease deposits, a mixture of several bacteria is used.
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