ANTARCTIC MICROBES MAY HELP IN PLASTIC CLEAN UP

  • February 6, 2022
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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ANTARCTIC MICROBES MAY HELP IN PLASTIC CLEAN UP

TOPIC: Environment

Context- A team of Argentine scientists is using microorganisms native to Antarctica to explore the idea of cleaning up pollution from fuels and, potentially, plastics in the pristine expanses of the white continent.

Concept-

  • The tiny microbes munch through the waste, creating a naturally occurring cleaning system for pollution caused by diesel that is used as a source of electricity and heat for research bases in the frozen Antarctic.
  • The continent is protected by a 1961 Madrid Protocol that stipulates it must be kept in a pristine state.

Bioremediation:

  • It can be defined as any process that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to remove and or neutralize contaminants within the environment to their original condition.
  • It uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi or plants to degrade or detoxify substances hazardous to human health and/or the environment.
  • In the marine ecosystem, microbial consortium plays an important role in breaking down oil in the event of a spill.
  • The microorganisms may be indigenous to a contaminated area or they may be isolated from elsewhere and brought to the contaminated site.
  • Bioremediation can be effective only where environmental conditions permit microbial growth and activity.

Advantages:

  1. Less expensive.
  2. Environmental friendly.
  3. These microbes are effective in controlling odour, reducing BOD, oil/ grease accumulation in sewage/ polluted water and solids.
  4. These microbial consortia exhibit growth at wider temperature range.
  5. These strains maintain a satisfactory level of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and therefore aerators, which consume high power, can be avoided or its use can be reduced.

Disadvantages:

  1. Restricted to those compounds that are biodegradable.
  2. There are some apprehensions that the products of biodegradation may be more lasting or toxic than the parent compound.
  3. Takes much more time than other treatment options, such as pyrolysis or incineration.