Bioremediation is emerging as a low-cost and key sustainable tool for India’s worsening pollution crisis.
Bioremediation
- Bioremediation is the process of treating and detoxifying environmental contaminants (oil, pesticides, plastics, sewage, heavy metals etc.) in soil, water or other environments by taking advantage of natural biological processes.
- It can be done using plants (phytoremediation), microbes (biostimulation), fungi (mycoremediation) or even animals such as fish (biomanipulation).
- Types of Bioremediation:
- In situ – Treatment at the contaminated site (e.g., oil-eating bacteria like Oilzapper sprayed on spills).
- Ex situ – Contaminated material is removed, and treated in a facility using methods like biopiles, bioreactors composting etc.
Significance of Bioremediation
- Affordability: Traditional clean-up methods are expensive and energy-intensive while bioremediation offers low-cost solution.
- Ecosystem Restoration: Bioremediation tend to be less invasive and enhances existing biological processes without disrupting already stressed ecosystem.
- Rich Microbial Diversity: India’s rich microbial biodiversity offers locally adapted strains that can provide sustainable locally managed solutions.
Challenges in its application
- Risk of ecological imbalance: If not controlled properly microbes, especially genetically modified strains may disrupt the balance.
- Slow rate of treatment: Industries and cities often prefer faster solutions due to commercial and political pressure.
- Lack of standard protocols: India lacks unified bioremediation standards, and clear rules for microbial products which deter large scale adoption.
India’s Efforts
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