MICROBE MEDIATED REMEDIATION OF POLLUTANTS & WASTE MANAGEMENT AS A ROUTE TO SUSTAINABILITY
Theme: Research at UG/PG Level
Abstract
Bioremediation is commonly defined as the process of degradation of organic wastes to simpler and eco-friendly natural compounds by biological means i.e., involving the action of bacteria, fungi and even some plants. Since microbes have immense potential to break down and utilize harmful environmental pollutants such as industrial wastes, pesticides and even heavy metals as a source of biomass and energy through unique metabolic mechanisms, they are often referred to as Microfactories capable of decontaminating the environment. This process is mainly categorized into methods namely, Biostimulation, Bioattenuation, Bioaugmentation, Bioventing, and Biopiles. Each of these methods rely on either stimulating the indigenous microorganisms with degradation potential, attenuating the increasing concentrations of the pollutant, augmenting the bioremediation ability of the microbes by gene manipulations, enhancing the growth of specific microbes by venting oxygen through the soil or by exerting positive or negative pressure to enhance the rate of microbial respiration which in turn results in increased rates of degradation. Waste management methods harnessing the ability of microbes in decomposing the organic waste from multitude of sources such as feces, crop residues, sugarcane trash, rice husks, cotton dust, tea waste, fruit and vegetable waste particularly through composting, helps to improve soil fertility and thereby increase crop production.
Hence, these greener methods of bioremediation and waste management based on microbial intervention bear great potential of sustainability. In terms of Global Goals, these tiny beings promote life below water, life on land, biological systems in a changing climate, responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and communities, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, clean water and sanitation, sustainable agriculture and phytoremediation and even affordable and clean energy. In present study, our goal is to shine a spotlight on the role of microbes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through their ability to clean up environmental pollutants and waste.
Also Read: – Bsc 1st Year Chemistry Practical File
Also Read: – CBSE Class 12th Physical Education File On Yoga| Yoga Project Class 12
Keywords: Bioremediation, Waste Management, Microbes, Sustainable Development Goals, Green Technology