LAUSR

Abstract Bioremediation approaches by native microorganisms are an effective and best resolution for treating metal contaminated area. The aim of the study was to determine the metal remediation efficiency of native bacteria B.cereus in lab and field remediation study. Minimum inhibitory concentration of metals show, the isolate was highly resistant to lead ions followed by other test metals and also highly resistant to multiple antibiotics. The optimum pH (pH 7) and temperature (35 °C) for bacterial growth was determined. Bioremediation efficiency of batch culture method by the strain was found to be 91.98% (Cu), 79.9% (Cr), 97.17% (Pb), 77.44% (Zn), 81.6% (Fe), 62.8% (Mn) and 60.92% (Mg) respectively. FT-IR analysis, resulted N–H primary amine, C–C stretch and N–O aliphatic nitro compounds present in the lead treated by B. cereus. We noticed some functional groups may be altered in the treated sample than control (–C C- alkyne and C–N amine groups). The novelty of the work is the simplest trail for field based metal remediation by the multi metal tolerant bacteria in bauxite mined waste soil. The strain shows notable percentage of in-situ remediation over eight weeks of experiments i.e 71.8% (Pb), 53% (Cu) and 41.4% (Cr). The outcome of In-situ remediation results suggest that B.cereus have a noticeable remediation capacity to all the metals particularly lead, so it could be served as a potential strain for In-situ field based bioremediation and in future it can be used for soil reclamation of toxic soil into nontoxic soil.