BIOREMEDIATION
saving our environment, one microorganism at a time
BIOREMEDIATION
TYPES: MICROBIAL
After the application of specific conditions to help support the growth of bacterial organisms, some species of bacteria are then capable of breaking down pollutants.
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METHYLIABIUM PETROLEIPHILUM
Classification: Bacteria | Family: Comamondacaea | Gram negative | Rod-shaped
Methylibium petroleiphilum was discovered in 1998 by Professor Kate Scow at UC Davis. She was able to make this discovery by purifying biofilters in order to treat byproducts from oil refineries. This discovery became the first and only known species of bacteria that has the ability to use MTBE (Methyl tert-butyl ether) as a source of carbon.
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Today, M. petroleiphilum is a key essential in terms of creating a successful outcome for bioremediation and other aromatic contaminated sites. It can grow more effectively and quickly since it does not require any extra nutrients like other types of bacteria.
Dechloromonas aromatica was isolated out of the Potomac River along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. It is known for its ability to reduce one of the hazardous toxins - perchlorate. With that, Dechloromonas aromatica has many properties that can impact the environment around us.
Its application in biotechnology is being studied to identify more information with its use of biodegrading benzene and many other compounds that lead to health complications and environmental issues.
Classification: Bacteria | Gram negative | Rod-shaped
DECHLOROMONAS AROMATICA
Classification: Saprotrophic soil bacterium | Gram negative | Rod-shaped
Pseudomonas putida comes in a variety which can be referred to as multiplasmid hydrocarbon-degrading Pseudomonas, becoming the first patented organism around the whole world. Just like the other important microorganisms used in bioremediation, P. putida can degrade organic solvents like toluene all while containing a very unique and diverse metabolism.
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P. putida has been used in many laboratories to test its function to act as a soil inoculant, the use of endophytes or microbes, for plant growth. More importantly, P. putida has the power to convert styrene oil into a biodegradable plastic.
B7
Arthur W. Anderson became the remarkable researcher to discover D. radiodurans in 1965. This spherical bacterium ranges in a diameter of 1.3 to 3.5 μm and is known to be the bacteria that can withstand a variety of dangerous radiations. (e.g ultraviolet light, desiccation, oxidizing and electrophilic agents)
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D. radiodurans has great potential in terms of application to be used in different fields of investigation, especially bioremediation. It can be applied towards the treatment of nuclear energy waste. Researchers are also trying to modify its function to further consume and digest toxic solvents in radioactive environments.
Classification: Extremophilic Bacterium | Gram positive | Spherical
B8 & B9
Classification: Gammaproteobacteria | Gram negative | Rod-shaped
A. borkumensis can survive under aerobic environments and can be found usually in marine environments. In addition, this particular species of bacteria can also survive through oil contaminated water because of the availability of phosphorus and nitrogen.
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Its genome is specially made that is composed of enzymes that can degrade oil in large oil spills. Another advantage that this bacteria contains is the ability to consume more alkanes. Some researchers believe that this could be "the only technique that would effectively remove oil that is distributed over such large distances seen in the current Gulf of Mexico oil spill."
BIOREMEDIATION
TYPES: MYCOREMEDIATION
Mycoremediation: The process of incorporating fungi and mushroomsas a way to reduce contaminants around the environment. Particular species of mushrooms and fungi have the ability to degrade pollutants and transform them into environmentally friendly products.
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CORPRINUS COMATUS
Kingdom: Fungi | Division: Basidiomycota | Genus: Coprinus | Species: C. comatus
Corprinus comatus is known to be a common fungus that can be found growing on lawns or any waste areas. It contains gills that will turn white, then pink, then black which indicates that black liquid has been secreted within the spores. By cultivating mushrooms, it requires moisture, shade, air, and the right amount of temperature to effectively grow and work. It has been found that placing Corprinus comatus in a cool area will reduce the decomposition time.
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Researchers declared that Corprinus comatus is nematophagous. This means that the hematophagous fungi within the mushroom have the ability to kill the small worms (nematodes) within the soil or area that it grows in. This form of bioremediation has resulted in safer and cleaner areas for the environment.
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PLEUROTUS PULMONARIUS
Kingdom: Fungi | Divison: Basidiomycota | Genus: Pleurotus | Species: P. pulmonarius
P. Pulmonarius (also known as the Indian Oyster or Phoenix Mushroom) contains caps that are small and pale to develop a stem like structure. It grows in warm temperatures all over the world due to it's sensitive and precise environment to successfully grow in.
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P. Pulmonarius is believed to be the most cultivated Oyster mushroom. Its cultivation process requires the mycelium to be transferred into petri dishes. The colonization of mycelium allows for the substrates to be used for cellulose based substrates. The genus contains enzymes that allow it to degrade agriculture wastes under "agro-climatic conditions".
STROPHARIA RUGOSOANNULATA
Kingdom: Fungi | Division: Basidiomycota | Genus: Stropharia | Species: S. rugosoannulata
Found in Europe and North America, S. rugosoannulata can grow up to 20 centimeters high and 30 centimeters across. It can be seen growing off of wood chips and bark during under warm temperatures. Researchers noticed that S. rugosoannulata can attack the nematode Panagrellus redivivus, a tiny roundworm.
S. rugosoannulata is widely selected to establish mycofiltration barriers for contaminants that can potentially threaten the quality of water. Mycofiltration is the use of fungal myceliumium or cultivated fungi to ultimately improve engineered ecosystems. It acts as a litter-decomposing fungus to remove the toxins in wastewater or damaged environments.
BIOREMEDIATION
TYPES: PHYTOREMEDIATION
Phytoremediation: A low cost and solar energy driven process that specializes in using green plants to treat environmental contaminants. Using the elements and compounds from various plants, it provides a natural ability to metabolize the molecules in the tissue.
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Kingdom: Plantae | Genus: Brassica | Species: B. juncea
Brassica juncea is a common specifies of mustard plant that can minimize the formation of weeds and reduce water loss from soil evaporation. It adapts to warm temperatures throughout the year. As it shares canola's biofumigation properties, it can reduce soil burn diseases like crown rot and nematodes.
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Furthermore, it can remove up to three times more Cadmium, reduce the production of lead, and can remove radioactive toxins that is harmful to the environment or soil that it grows from.
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WILLOW TREES
Kingdom: Plantae | Family: Salicaceae | Genus: Salix
The most promising species for phytoremediation is using willow for this method. The roots demonstrate viability to reduce the increasing levels of heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the environment. Not only are willow trees cost efficient cleaners but they also restore mining areas and landfills.
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University of Eastern Finland found in a research study that the wood biomass grown in the process can be alternatively used for the production of energy or biorefineries. To do so, experiments must be conducted to monitor the soil's restoration ability and how much willow trees can grow in soil on various levels of acidity.
SUNFLOWERS
Kingdom: Plantae | Family: Asteraceae | Genus: Helianthus
The influence of sunflowers towards the phytoremediation process leaves behind a remarkable benefit that cleans up nuclear radiation. Environmental scientists claim that sunflowers can take high concentrations of toxic pollutants within their tissues.
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Better known as hyperaccumulators, sunflowers have a unique root system that allows them to evolve and function under extreme mechanisms. Edenspace Systems, a phytoremediation company, lead a research to see how much sunflowers can complete a successful cleanup of a lead-laced plot in Detroit. Overall, the results left behind became the start to restore and clean the environment.