Bioremediation: An Innovative Way to Tackle Environmental Damage.

 

 On July 25, 2020, the oil tanker named MV Wakashio, carrying nearly 4,000 metric tons of oil ran ashore on a coral reef on the island of Mauritius’s southeast coast. According to media reports, more than 1,000 metric tons of fuel have leaked from the cracked vessel into the Indian Ocean – polluting the nearby coral reefs, as well as the surrounding beaches and lagoons. This kind of Incidents play a great role in causing damage to the environment. In order to address this kind of situation, a great technique can be used which is Bioremediation.

 

What is Bioremediation?

Bioremediation is a process that uses mainly microorganisms, plants, or microbial or plant enzymes to detoxify contaminants in the soil and other environments. Organisms such as bacteria, micro algae, fungi and plants have the natural capability to absorb, collect and destroy common and emerging pollutants and thus are typically used in this process.  The process of bioremediation depends on promoting the growth of specific bacteria that use pollutants like oil, solvents, and pesticides as food and energy sources. These microorganisms transform harmful substances into nontoxic gases like carbon dioxide and small amounts of water. Thus, helping in removing a great number of damages. 

 

How is it Useful?

Bioremediation process are used to destroy highly toxic metals, chemicals and pollutants from the environments.

A large number of organisms die due to oil spills in water which causes a hindrance in the food chain and ecology and the water becomes unfit to use. These oil spills can be cleaned using microorganisms through bioremediation.

Heavy metals from tanneries may produce toxic oxides that cause lung cancer, asthma, paralysis, brain damage, etc. Through the use of bioremediation these harmful metals can be degraded.

 

 

What is the Future With Bioremediation?

The bioremediation process will not only reduce health risk but it will also save biodiversity.  It will help in sustainable management of polluted soils. Bioremediation has the potential to restore contaminated environment inexpensively yet effectively. At present, the world is being filled with high pollution rates and these are nowhere near stopping. Rather, these pollution are constantly increasing. To stop this, bioremediation is the most accurate technology as it is Eco-friendly and cost effective. With a little more knowledge and study in this field, bioremediation can be a really helpful tool for living in a clean and healthy environment.