Sequestration of Metals from Coal Using Bacteria: Environmental Implications on Clean Coal Energy

Burning of coal in power plants generates a huge amount of ash containing heavy metals posing environmental pollution. These metals, when they enter into water, air, and soil, ultimately affect human health through the food chain and food web processes. The physicochemical methods available for the removal of minerals and trace elements from coal are not only costly but also generate secondary sludge and create pollution problems. A bacterial technique is successfully used to remove hazardous metals from coal through oxidation, acidification, and adsorption, thereby improving the fuel quality.