Cleaning up Chemical Waste

We all want to live in a world which is safe from chemical contamination and Biotechnology is providing solutions to pollution by finding bacteria and fungi which consume these wastes to make the planet a safer environment to raise your children.
If necessary microbes can be genetically modified to provide a strain which can live in and consume a high toxicity waste spill or illegal release.

Are These Microbes Safe In The Natural Environment

As these are modified they are less able to survive in the natural environment, so when the environment reverts back to the natural state these modified bacteria can not survive.
They are designed to consume only a certain range of waste and stringent tests are carried out during and after manufacture of these organisms to ensure the environment is not at risk from any source.

Australian scientists are conducting research into degradation of noxious chemicals which in the past have been renowned for their chemical stability i.e. DDT, Dieldrin, Aldrin, and Polycarbonated Biphenyls etc. and before the full impact of their use was understood were extensively incorporated in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, refrigerants, solvents, electronic components, herbicides and pesticides.

This research has found the structural components of these chemicals is similar to lignin which is one of the main components of wood.
therefore research is being conducted on the fungi and microbes which attack wood such as white rot of which there are six different strains.

What other options do we have when it comes to the destruction of these compounds;

• High Temperature Incineration, if toxin is contained - usually carried out offshore to eliminate problems with environmental action groups. ( not very popular )
• Quarantine affected area and wait. ( as a general rule, longer than our lifetime )

The role of bacteriaI The biological cycleI
Maintaining water quality in an aquatic enviromentI
Enviromental management of water bodies?I Biotechnology in waste managementI
Cleaning up chemical wasteI Treating petroleum sludge and oilspillsI
Manufacturing fuels from waste