Final answer:
Microbial bioremediation leverages prokaryotes to neutralize toxic metals and radionuclides, often transforming them into non-toxic or less harmful states, rather than completely destroying them. It is effectively used in various environments, including oil spill sites, by enhancing the natural degradation process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microbial Bioremediation of Inorganic Pollutants
Microbial bioremediation is a process that utilizes prokaryotes or microbial metabolism to degrade or remove pollutants. It is a natural form of waste management that can neutralize toxic metals and radionuclides. An example of this process is the biotransformation of mercury (Hg2+) by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, converting it into its elemental, non-toxic form (Hg0).
However, it's essential to note that not all inorganic pollutants can be 'destroyed' as the student's question suggests. Some can only be transformed into less toxic states or immobilized in a way that prevents them from being harmful. This treatment method is especially relevant for contaminants like selenium, arsenic, and substances found in oil spills, where bioremediation can significantly reduce pollution levels by converting harmful substances into innocuous ones or elements that are less mobile and bioavailable.
Bioremediation methods also include the introduction of nutrients to stimulate the growth of native oil-degrading bacteria or the application of genetically engineered microbes designed to consume specific pollutants. While bioremediation is highly effective in certain cases, it is not always a complete destruction but rather a transformation or stabilization of contaminants.