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Bioremediation
By Macarena Moya Rodríguez, Karla Uriostegui and Miriam Scarlett Medina Álvarez
Keywords: Environment, contaminants, water, bioremediation.
Population growth has been a problem for several years. This has created a knock-on effect on air, water and soil pollution; by 2050 it is estimated that 9 billion people will inhabit the earth. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1.3 billion tons of garbage are produced each year, which is worrisome since human waste is one of the biggest pollutants, affecting us and the environment. Fortunately, there is a solution to pollution problems, and it is called bioremediation (TBC Bioremediation, 2013).
Bioremediation removes pollutants from the environment, toxins and contaminants from water, soil, etc.; reduces their effects and ensures air, water and soil quality for the future. It also contributes to the economy by increasing fish stocks and product quality with the help of clean soil and water (Philp, 2015).
It sounds revolutionary, but it has been around since 600 BC, used by the Romans to treat wastewater. George M. Robinson is considered the father of modern bioremediation because, as a petroleum engineer, he began experiments with microbes, placing them in containers containing contaminants and discovering that certain types of bacteria break down contaminants. Sharing his findings with researchers, they concluded that it could be used to clean contaminants such as oils, fuels and more. This process has evolved into one of the most effective methods for removing dirt and fuel (TBC Bioremediation, 2013).
In other words, bioremediation in biotechnology is controlled by a chemical process of reactions mediated by microbial organisms to break down or convert pollutants into less toxic or non-toxic forms, thereby improving or eliminating environmental contamination (Mitchell, 2022).
So how does it work?
Specific microbes eat and digest contaminants, converting them into small amounts of gasses or water, such as CO2. If there are not enough suitable microbes in the soil and groundwater, they can be added in a process called “bioaugmentation.” These amendments are usually pumped underground through wells to treat the soil and groundwater “in situ”. To be effective, temperatures, nutrients and food must be right. These will allow the right microbes to grow and multiply by eating more contamination; otherwise the microbes will grow slowly and eventually die. Adding “modifications” can improve conditions (Mitchell, 2022).
It is important to clarify that microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria are crucial in the process; especially bacteria, as they transform waste into nutrients and organic matter, can easily break down contaminants. For example, chlorinating pesticides or cleaning up an oil spill; however, microorganisms cannot decompose heavy metals such as cadmium and lead (Sood, Singhal, Bhat, & Kumar, 2011).
Some bacteria, including green algae and fungi, can oxidize hydrocarbons at the aerobic oil/water interface, removing nearly 80% of hydrocarbon emissions per year. When assessing the environmental safety of new and existing chemicals, it is important to understand the key role of microorganisms in chemical degradation. Therefore, it is shown that the use of micro technology can solve problems related to pollution and recycling (Sood et al., 2011).
There are several bioremediation techniques:
Biostimulation. It introduces specific nutrients and essential components into contaminated soil in liquid or gaseous form to activate bacterial processes, promote rapid microbial growth and efficient absorption of nutrients from the dirty stuff (BYJUS, n.d.).
Bioaugmentation. Used in certain situations, such as municipal wastewater treatment, where special microorganisms are needed to remove pollutants. However, it is difficult to control microbial growth while removing specific impurities. (BYJUS, n.d.).
Internal bioremediation. Effective in soils and aquatic environments, it is used for pollution-related organisms. Mostly in subway areas where leaks are difficult to detect, such as subway oil tanks. Microorganisms play an important role in toxin removal and tank cleaning (BYJUS, n.d.).
Bioremediation is an important tool in the fight against environmental pollution by using the ability of microorganisms to break down pollutants or convert them into smaller ones.
Many actions are possible, but success depends on careful planning and strategy, monitoring and adaptation to local conditions. It is also crucial to enhance microbial activity by providing nutrients and creating good environmental conditions to achieve the desired results. However, it is a sign of hope in the fight against environmental pollution. By adopting these ecological solutions and investing in research and development, a path to create a better and healthy planet for current and future generations is getting closer (Sood et al., 2011).
References
BYJUS. (2021, March 25). Bioremediation – process. Types of bioremediation. Examples. Recovered from https://byjus.com/
History Bioremediation. (2013). Bioremediation. Recuperado 13 de febrero de 2024, de https://andrewtlex.wixsite.com.
Mitchell, C. (2022, July 27). What is bioremediation, and how does it work (with examples)? Investopedia. Recovered from https://www.investopedia.com.
National Academies Press (US). (2000). Applications of economics in the field of environmental marine biotechnology. Opportunities for environmental applications of marine biotechnology – NCBI Bookshelf. Recovered from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
OPG. (2023, December 3). Bioremediation Basics. OPG+. Recovered from https://opgplus.com/
Philp, R. (2015, December 8). Bioremediation: The pollution solution? Recovered from https://microbiologysociety.org/
TBC Bioremediation. (2013). Bioremediation. Recovered from https://andrewtlex.wixsite.com/
Society, M. (2015, December 8). Bioremediation: The pollution solution? Microbiology Society. Recovered from https://microbiologysociety.org
Sood, S., Singhal, R., Bhat, S., & Kumar, A. (2011). Inoculum preparation. In: Elsevier eBooks (pp. 230-243). Recovered from https://doi.org/10.1016/¿