Abstract
Soil salinity surge, and accumulation of heavy metals in soil, due to agricultural malpractices and natural calamities, is a growing concern worldwide. The use of bacteria for bioremediation, and the potential of halotolerant bacteria have not been fully explored. This study aimed to find indigenous halotolerant bacteria, from the agricultural soils of Indian Sundarbans that have multi-metal removal and fertility intensification abilities. Three halotolerant (≥ 20% NaCl) indigenous Bacillus strains (T37, T40, T41) isolated from our soil samples demonstrate exceptional heavy metal tolerance and removal abilities. T40 removed 79.62% Lead and 86.20% Chromium-which is more effective than previous reports. T41 removed 88.46% Nickel, twice that from earlier findings. Secretion of Exopolysaccharide, and FESEM-EDX mapping confirmed metal adhesion. Additionally, AES's quantification of heavy metal in exopolysaccharide explains the biosorption mechanism. These bacteria could also solubilize phosphorus significantly under metal stress, offering sustainable soil remediation potential for wasteland reformation and agriculture. Accordingly, farmers may effectively use these bacterial strains as biofertilizers to reclaim the contaminated soils.