Bioremediation potential of Bacillus sp. and Paenebacillus sp. novel lead-resistant isolates: Identification, characterization, and optimization studies

Environmental pollution by heavy metals and other toxic substances has increasingly become a global health concern. Lead is a hazardous environmental contaminant that is been released to the surface causing deleterious health effects to man. Various strategies have been employed such as excavation, precipitation, and vitrification to remove lead from polluted sites. However, bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated sites has served as a cost-effective and ecofriendly tool for detoxifying and restoration of ecological entities. In this study, we reported the isolation and optimization of two novel lead-resistant isolates from active goldmine contaminated site of Anka, Zamfara state Nigeria. Results of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) showed higher lead concentration from the sampled sites (p