Insights to arsenic toxicity: its ecotoxicological health effects, potential microbes and detoxification mechanisms

Arsenic contamination continues to pose a critical challenge to environmental safety and public health due to its widespread presence in natural resources such as groundwater, soil, and air. Long-term exposure to arsenic is linked to a range of health issues, including various cancers, skin disorders, neurological dysfunction, infertility, and cardiovascular disease. While natural geological processes contribute to its release, human activities, such as mining operations, excessive use of agrochemicals, and industrial effluents, significantly amplify arsenic levels in the environment. This article explores bioremediation as a sustainable and effective approach for arsenic removal. Specific microbial strains, including Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Bacillus, and Shewanella, demonstrate strong arsenic resistance and detoxification capabilities through enzymatic processes such as methylation, oxidation, and reduction. Key enzymes, such as ArsM and AioBA, enable these transformations. Moreover, advances in genetic engineering further enhance microbial efficiency, achieving arsenic elimination rates nearing 99.7%. Additionally, rhizospheric technologies that combine plant-microbe interactions with nanomaterials such as nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) offer promising solutions for treating contaminated agricultural soils and aquifers. Despite these innovations, environmental uncertainties and the need for scalable, long-term implementation remain pressing concerns. This review highlights the potential of integrated microbial and biotechnological methods to support safer, more resilient remediation strategies and urges cross-sector collaboration to address arsenic pollution holistically and sustainably.