ISOLATION OF ARSENIC RESISTANCE BACTERIA AND THEIR ABILITY IN ARSENIC REMOVAL FROM SOIL IN ASSOCIATION WITH PTERIS VITTATA

In this study, bacterial strains that can remove arsenic from soil in combination with Pteris vittata were screened. The physicochemical characteristics of contaminated paddy soil were analyzed, and bacterial isolates were selected after primary screening on the basis of the oxidation-reduction potential of arsenic. Among the 11 bacterial isolates, three displayed a potential for both oxidation and reduction and were selected for further study. They were characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing and identified as Bacillus altitudinis Strain SS8 (KJ432582), Bacillus megaterium Strain SS9 (KJ432583) and Lysinibacillus sp. Strain SS11 (KJ432584). Of these, Lysinibacillus sp. Strain SS11 showed the highest tolerances, measured at 3256 mg L^-1 for arsenate and 1136 mg L^-1 for arsenite. Additionally, the bioaccumulation capacity of this strain was 23.43 mg L^-1 for arsenate and 5.65 mg L^-1 for arsenite along with high potential for other metal tolerances. It has also observed that P. vittatais capable of taking up more arsenic and iron from soil in the presence of these bacterial strains, leading to contamination-free soil. Thus, this system can be used as a very good bioremediation agent to remove arsenic from contaminated soil.