Systematic review reveals radiation-resistant bacteria and microalgae effectively remediate iodine-131 from wastewater, highlighting biological strategies as sustainable waste management alternatives.
Iodine-131 ( 131 I) is extensively used in nuclear medicine for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications; however, its disposal from medical and industrial sources generates environmentally hazardous radioactive wastewater, poses environmental concerns. This review synthesizes current evidence on biological strategies for the remediation of 131 I and related radionuclides. By integrating findings across microbial, algal, fungal, and engineered biological systems, it provides a comparative assessment of removal mechanisms, efficiency, and environmental applicability. Radiation-resistant bacteria and microalgae demonstrated the greatest remediation potential, with some engineered systems achieving near-complete radionuclide removal. Biological approaches offer sustainable alternatives to conventional treatments and warrant further validation for large-scale radioactive management
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Rajendran et al. (2026) studied this question.
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