By: Analiese M.
Photo from: OPG+ News
A new method of pollution mitigation has emerged recently, known as bioremediation. This process encompasses using microorganisms to break down pollution within the environment.
While this method has become popular within the last few years, mainstream society are not aware of its benefits, let alone the word itself.
So what does the process of bioremediation entail? There are three different types of bioremediation: microbial bioremediation, phytoremediation, and mycoremediation. All three types have to do with the breaking down of pollutants, but all go about it with different sources of living things. Microbial uses microorganisms like pseudomonas putida, methylibium petroleiphilum, and phanerochaete chrysosporium to break down pollutants whereas phytoremediation uses plants for cleaning and mycoremediation uses fungi. It is important to note that in order for bioremediation to even take place, there need to be optimal and strict conditions to be met. These conditions consist of meeting the correct pH, soil texture, permeability, nutrients, and even oxygen.
When the process of biodegradation is complete, it is called “mineralization." The process of biodegradation can be used for many things. Some of these things include cleaning up oil spills, storm water runoff, and even crime scene cleanup! These are not just the only things though, as bioremediation can also help pick up soil contamination as well. Some of the environmental benefits of this entire process is that there is minimal negative impact on the climate.
Bioremediation is a great ecocentric solution, as it works with components of nature (such as organic pathogens, arsenic, and more) to help nature. With a cost efficient model and requirement of minimal equipment, perhaps bioremediation can give ecomodernist solutions a run for their money.
Sources:
Guide: What is bioremediation, bioremediation benefits, & more. ESD Waste2Water. (2021, November 24). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.waste2water.com/bioremediation-benefits-and-uses/.
What is bioremediation? What is Bioremediation. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from http://www.hawaii.edu/abrp/biordef.html#:~:text=There%20are%20several%20advantages%20of,generally%20less%20disruptive%20to%20the.
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