Bioremediation
Why in news?
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is actively using bioremediation to clean Hussainsagar Lake by applying enzyme solutions with Bokashi balls made from biochar.
About Bioremediation
- Bioremediation is an eco-friendly environmental process that uses microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and plants to clean contaminated soil, groundwater, and water bodies by breaking down pollutants into non-toxic or less toxic substances.
- It can be carried out in situ (at the contamination site) or ex situ (removing the contaminated material for treatment) depending on the situation.
- The Department of Biotechnology supports bioremediation through research partnerships and funding under the Clean Technology Programme.
- Demonstration projects use advanced techniques like bioventing, biosparging, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation.
- The Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission promotes research on bioremediation as part of addressing environmental waste.
- Regional hubs and start-ups are encouraged to build local bioremediation capabilities, integrating indigenous microbial strains suited to India's diverse environments.
- Bioremediation offers a low-cost alternative to conventional clean-ups with less environmental disruption.
- It creates employment opportunities in biotechnology research, environmental consulting, and waste management sectors.
- Future efforts include establishing national standards for bioremediation and expanding its use for large-scale environmental restoration in urban and industrial areas.
