Microorganisms play an important role in arsenic (As) cycling in the environment. Microbes mobilize As directly or indirectly, and natural/geochemical processes such as sulphate and iron reduction, oxidative sulphide mineral dissolution, arsenite (AsO₃³⁻) oxidation and arsenate (AsO₄³⁻) respiration further aid in As cycle in the environment. Arsenate serves as an electron donor for the microbes during anaerobic conditions in the sediment. The present work reviews the recent development in As contamination, various As-metabolizing microbes and their phylogenetic diversity, to understand the role of microbial communities in As respiration and mobilization. It also summarizes the contemporary understanding of the intricate biochemistry and molecular biology of natural As metabolisms. Some successful examples of engineered microbes by harnessing these natural mechanisms for effective remediation are also discussed. The study indicates that there is an exigent need to have a clear understanding of environmental aspects of As mobilization and subsequent oxidation–reduction by a suitable microbial consortium.

微生物在环境中的砷（As）循环中起重要作用。微生物直接或间接地以及自然/地球化学过程（例如硫酸盐和铁的还原，氧化性硫化物矿物的溶解，亚砷酸盐（AsO ₃ ^3-）的氧化和砷酸盐（AsO ₄ ^3-的））的动员。）呼吸可进一步帮助环境中的砷循环。在沉积物中的厌氧条件下，砷酸盐充当微生物的电子供体。本工作回顾了砷污染，各种代谢砷的微生物及其系统发生多样性方面的最新进展，以了解微生物群落在砷呼吸和动员中的作用。它还总结了当代对天然砷代谢的复杂生物化学和分子生物学的理解。还讨论了利用这些自然机制进行有效修复的工程微生物的成功实例。研究表明，迫切需要对砷的迁移以及随后通过合适的微生物联盟进行的氧化还原的环境方面有一个清晰的认识。