Microorganisms at their Best by Jennifer Catania

What is Bioremediation?

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 14:18:56 UTC

Bioremediation is a process that uses microorganisms that are found naturally in the environment to remove and neutralize contaminants (EPA, 2012). Organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae have the ability to eat and digest pollutants in groundwater, soil, and/or sediments effectively neutralizing contaminated areas and serving as natural cleansers for the earth (EPA, 2012). Bioremediation is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective approach that effectively removes pollution and produces little to no waste chemicals in the process (EPA, 2012).

Bioventing Activates Aerobic Biodegradation to Remove Pollutants

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 14:19:35 UTC

Bioventing is an in-situ bioremediation technique that treats contaminated soil through forced air movement (EPA, 2006). The bioventing process, involves introducing oxygen into the unsaturated zone in soil to promote the activity of the indigenous bacteria using extraction or injection wells (EPA, 2017). Aerobic biodegradation of pollutants between the surface and the groundwater below prevents contaminants from impacting water quality (EPA, 2006). In this process oxygen is injected into the soil through shallow wells or trenches to stimulate the microbial process and break down contaminants (EPA, 2006). Bioventing is commonly used for petroleum hydrocarbon blends such as jet fuel and to remove pollutants from contaminated soil (EPA, 2006). Furthermore, it is an effective process to neutralize pesticides in the soil (EPA, 2006).

Landfarming is used to Neutralize Hazardous Waste

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 14:19:51 UTC

Landfarming is another form of bioremediation that is used to treat hazardous waste. Landfarming involves carefully adding microbes that are capable of metabolizing waste and nutrients into the surface soil (Nathanson, 2023). Genetically engineered bacteria are also used in some cases to stimulate the breakdown process. This process requires careful site management to ensure that food and natural forage crops are not impacted by the contaminants being treated at the site. Hazardous waste can be treated Ex Situ by being moved to the land site for treatment or the microbes can neutralize waste In Situ for a previously contaminated (Nathanson, 2023).

Waste Management and Environmental Restoration with Mycoremediation

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 14:20:12 UTC

Mycoremediation is a bioremediation process that utilizes the natural capabilities of fungi to break down materials to benefit the environment (Nairn & Hance, 2021). Recent projects use mycoremediation to restore ecosystems that have been damaged from wildfires and oil spills by regenerating soils through the root systems of plants, mushrooms, and fungi (Nairn & Hance, 2021). Additionally, scientists manipulate fungus in a lab setting to break down pollutants and hazardous waste (Nairn & Hance, 2021). The root system in fungi, called mycelium, is comprised by web-like white threads that connect to each other in soils and other moisture-rich environments to access nutrients. "Mycelium is one of nature’s most resilient living organisms. It’s both water-retardant and fire-resistant, making it a perfect intermediary for environmental recovery and disaster prevention" (Nairn & Hance, 2021). Scientists have been able to manipulate fungi to break down polypropylene face masks, plastic gloves, and sheet metal products in a controlled environment (Nairn & Hance, 2021).

Projects that utilize mycoremediation include:

The Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition is using fungi to neutralize creosote-soaked railway ties dumped at the Skeena watershed (Nairn & Hance, 2021).
Post-Fire Biofiltration Initiative in California, is using fungi-packed wattles in contaminated waterways (Nairn & Hance, 2021).
CoRenewal, an international organization, is currently working to test the effects of different fungal species on burn scars resulting from wildfires (Nairn & Hance, 2021).
An organization called, Mycocycle, is currently working on a project to convert 1.5 million tons of waste into renewable natural materials. Their vision includes creating dumpsters that are able to grow fungi to break-down waste (Nairn & Hance, 2021).

In the future, scientists may be able to use mycoremediation to economically divert waste from landfills.

Microorganisms at their Best

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 15:23:38 UTC

Earth's natural nutrient cycles and processes, when balanced, work to maintain our Goldilocks climate that supports all life on Earth. Since the Industrial Revolution, consumerism, industrial production, energy production, commercial agriculture, and community development projects have detrimentally altered our climate. These processes have overwhelmed the earth's natural systems by generating excessive pollution and waste. There is hope, however, in utilizing nature to minimize the impact and cleanse the environment to ensure it is habitable for future generations. The environmental infrastructure of our waste stream provides clean water delivery, waste removal, and pollution control systems to manage the abundance of waste humans create to protect human health and safeguard the quality of our environment (Nathanson, J. A., 2023). The processes of industrial waste management and pollution control incorporate innovative bioremediation techniques to mobilize natural processes to safely treat and remove pollutants from the water and soil (Nairn & Hance, 2021). Bioremediation methods, such as bioventing, landfarming, and mycoremediation are three such techniques that offer a cost-effective solution to restore the environment.

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 16:48:06 UTC

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 16:48:17 UTC

jenc18sportsmom — 2023-11-05 17:16:07 UTC

Processes of bioremediation such as bioventing, landfarming, and mycoremediation are innovative methods to employ nature's natural processes to control waste and pollution. The damage that has already been created by human-influenced production processes requires a multifaceted approach of conservation, sustainable production processes, waste management, environmental education awareness, and responsible consumption to ensure the survival of Earth's organisms.