Relevance: GS-3 (Environment – Pollution & Biotechnology) | Source: The Hindu
Rapid industrialisation and poor waste management have left rivers, soil, and air increasingly polluted. Traditional clean-up methods are costly and energy-intensive, making bioremediation a sustainable alternative.
What is Bioremediation?
Bioremediation means using living organisms—bacteria, fungi, algae, plants—to break down or remove toxic pollutants such as oil, plastics, heavy metals, sewage and industrial waste.
Two types:
- In-situ – treatment at the contaminated site (e.g., oil-eating bacteria sprayed on spills).
- Ex-situ – polluted soil/water removed, treated in controlled facilities, and returned.
Major Techniques & Uses
Technique | Description | Example/Use |
| Microbial remediation | Microbes degrade toxins into harmless by-products | Oil spills, sewage, industrial effluents |
| Phytoremediation | Plants absorb/sequester pollutants | Removing heavy metals, cleaning soil |
| Mycoremediation | Fungi break down organic pollutants | Pesticides, chemical residues |
| GM-microbe remediation | Engineered microbes degrade complex toxic chemicals | Plastics, persistent industrial waste |
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. With reference to bioremediation, consider the following:
- It uses living organisms to convert pollutants into less harmful forms.
- Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants for cleaning contaminated sites.
- It is always performed ex-situ.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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