Microbial degradation of pollutants at high salt concentrations

Though our knowledge on microbial degradation of organic pollutants at high salt concentrations is still limited, the list of toxic compounds shown to be degraded or transformed in media of high salinity is growing. Compounds transformed aerobically include saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (by certain archaeobacteria), certain aromatic compounds, organophosphorus compounds, and formaldehyde (by halotolerant eubacteria). Anaerobic microbial transformations of toxic compounds occurring at high salt concentrations include reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, and possibly transformation of chlorinated aromatic compounds.