Bioremediation

Bioremediation Latest News

Bioremediation offers a cheaper, scalable, and sustainable alternative, especially in a country like India where vast stretches of land and water are affected but resources for remediation are limited.

About Bioremediation

• Bioremediation literally means “restoring life through biology.” 
• It is the use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms, to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.
• It is used to clean up contaminated soil, air, and water.
• It harnesses microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants to sequester or transform toxic substances such as oil, pesticides, plastics, or heavy metals. 
• These organisms metabolise these pollutants as food, breaking them down into harmless by-products such as water, carbon dioxide, or organic acids. 
• In some cases, they can convert toxic metals into less dangerous forms that no longer leach into the soil or groundwater.
• Two Broad Types of Bioremediation:
  • In situ bioremediation, where treatment happens directly at the contaminated site, such as when oil-eating bacteria is sprayed on an ocean spill; 
  • Ex situ bioremediation, where contaminated soil or water is removed, treated in a controlled facility, and returned once cleaned.
• For bioremediation to be effective, the right temperature, nutrients, and food also must be present. 
• Proper conditions allow the right microbes to grow and multiply—and eat more contaminants.

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Bioremediation Advantages

• It cleans up the environment naturally without the use of toxic chemicals. So, it is an environmentally friendly method. 
• Contaminants are converted into water and harmless gases.
• It is cost-effective, as extensive equipment and labor are not needed.
• It is a permanent solution, as the degraded material cannot revert back to the previous one.
• It is a recommended method for removing oil stains.

Bioremediation Disadvantages

• It takes a large area and time from months to years.
• It is limited to the compounds which are degradable.
• It is not able to remove all kinds of impurities from the contaminated site. Like, some kind of inorganic contaminants cannot be treated with this bioremediation method.
• Some heavy metals cannot be completely broken down, resulting in toxic by-products.

Source: TH