A Review on Pollution Status and Microbial Remediation Technologies of Perchlorate in the Environmental Medium

Perchlorate (ClO₄^-) is a toxic inorganic anion, and its environmental pollution problem has attracted wide attention. Control and restoration of perchlorate-contaminated environments has become a new research hotspot. Microbial remediation technologies are the most promising technologies to reduce perchlorate pollution. Studies of perchlorate pollution status have already been carried out and the bioremediation technologies of perchlorate in the environment have shown some success abroad. Environmental problems of perchlorate also exist in China, but few studies have been reported. This paper reviews the most recent research progress of perchlorate pollution status and the microbial remediation technologies worldwide. Due to its high water solubility and low adsorption, water pollution of perchlorate is the hotspot in current studies. Polluted waters have a direct or indirect influence on human health through drinking water (source water) or the food chain. In microbial remediation, the factors influencing the efficiency of removing perchlorate are illustrated in terms of electron donor organic carbon/electron donor (acetate etc.), inorganic electron donor (H₂, Fe⁰ etc.), electron acceptor (O₂, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-) and the environmental factors favorable for microbial growth (pH, temperature, salinity, redox potential). Collectively, this gives the theoretical basis for the practical application of microbial remediation technologies in the restoration field of perchlorate-contaminated environments.