Function of Biohydrogen Metabolism and Related Microbial Communities in Environmental Bioremediation

Hydrogen (H(2)) metabolism has attracted considerable interest because the activities of H(2)-producing and consuming microbes shape the global H(2) cycle and may have vital relationships with the global cycling of other elements. There are many pathways of microbial H(2) emission and consumption which may affect the structure and function of microbial communities. A wide range of microbial groups employ H(2) as an electron donor to catalyze the reduction of pollutants such as organohalides, azo compounds, and trace metals. Syntrophy coupled mutualistic interaction between H(2)-producing and H(2)-consuming microorganisms can transfer H(2) and be accompanied by the removal of toxic compounds. Moreover, hydrogenases have been gradually recognized to have a key role in the progress of pollutant degradation. This paper reviews recent advances in elucidating role of H(2) metabolism involved in syntrophy and hydrogenases in environmental bioremediation. Further investigations should focus on the application of bioenergy in bioremediation to make microbiological H(2) metabolism a promising remediation strategy.