In early June of 2023, residents of NYC woke up to an unsettling and unfamiliar sight: a world immersed in an ominous orange glow. This surreal experience wasn’t a scene out of a dystopian movie, but rather, a harsh reality caused by something real: wildfires. These devastating wildfires, sparked by greenhouse gas emissions, started in Quebec, Canada, but didn’t just stay there. These fires quickly unleashed waves of smoke that spread to various parts of the United States East Coast and caused the air quality to reach unprecedented lows. In fact, NYC experienced the worst air quality ever recorded and surpassed values in the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (Kelly, 2023).
These wildfires were not an isolated occurrence. Instead, they were functioning within a larger environmental framework of escalating greenhouse gas emissions and pervasive pollution, each component fueling and amplifying the other. In this context, numerous scientists and environmentalists have been working relentlessly to find effective solutions to end this cycle. One potential and revolutionary remedy is bioremediation, which uses the remarkable mechanism of microorganisms to clean up contaminated environments both sustainably and effectively. Bioremediation isn’t a complicated process; it simply involves strategically placing microorganisms in polluted environments to degrade and detoxify the pollutants (Hlihor et al., 2017). This system works because yeast, fungi, algae, and bacteria all have unique biochemical pathways that have the ability to change harmful substances into harmless ones (Bala et al., 2022). In order to accomplish this, they break down complex organic compounds, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and hazardous chemicals and transform them into non-toxic forms (Bala et al., 2022). As scientists continue their research on the processes underlying bioremediation, we draw nearer to a world where we can effectively mend the damages we have created.
One of the key benefits of bioremediation is its eco-conscious approach (Ojewumi et al., 2018). Unlike traditional remediation methods that rely on chemical treatments or physical removal, bioremediation operates in collaboration with the natural world. By utilizing nature’s own microorganisms to degrade pollutants, bioremediation avoids introducing additional harmful substances into the environment, making it a greener and more sustainable solution (Ojewumi et al., 2018). Additionally, bioremediation offers a significantly more cost-effective method as compared to many other cleanup techniques. In fact, studies have shown that the expenses for bioremediation are impressively lower, ranging from $15 to $200 per ton, while alternative methods such as chemical treatments can exceed $500 per ton (Saha et al., 2021).
In addition to its cost-effectiveness, bioremediation’s versatile applications extend across different areas of contamination like terrestrial, groundwater, and marine ecosystems (Hlihor et al., 2017). For example, one of bioremediation’s roles lies in its ability to break down hydrocarbons, which are a major component of petroleum and oil-based contaminants (Ojewumi et al., 2018). Hydrocarbons can be highly toxic to living organisms and their release into the environment through oil spills can cause severe ecological disruptions (Ojewumi et al., 2018). Scientists have identified specific hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and fungi, like Pseudomonas and Aspergillus species, as perfect for the task (Maxwell et al., 2020). They have powerful enzymes that have the ability to break down these hydrocarbon chains, thus contributing to the fight against oil contamination (Saha et al., 2021).
Scientists have also found other organisms that could help eliminate another environmental scourge: radioactive contamination. The bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans possess the remarkable ability to both thrive and actively remove pollutants in harsh radiation environments (Sadraeain & Molaee, 2009). These microorganisms function as a sponge, absorbing radionuclides from the environment without much harm to themselves thanks to intricate biological mechanisms that efficiently protect their proteins from radiation damage (Lakshmi et al., 2022). By absorbing these hazardous radioactive substances, Deinococcus radiodurans reduce their bioavailability and associated risks, effectively detoxifying the environment. Deinococcus radiodurans actively participate in cleaning up radioactive-contaminated sites, aiding in the restoration of affected areas and safeguarding both human health and the environment from the detrimental effects of radioactive contamination.
From perfecting microbial stimulation to ensuring optimal environmental conditions, the success of bioremediation is truly obtainable. Bioremediation presents a shift from conventional chemical-based cleanup methodologies to processes biologically engineered by nature. What makes bioremediation a groundbreaking solution is its synergy with nature's resilience. It's not about combating the cycle with force, but about changing it subtly and powerfully through biological aid. Microorganisms, often overlooked in the grand scheme of ecology, hold the potential to diffuse the ticking time bomb of pollution and even possibly attenuate its cycle.
The transformative potential of bioremediation underscores a vital environmental axiom: nature holds the antidote to the harm we inflict upon it. As the vibrant city of NYC fell under the grim shadow of wildfires, it witnessed firsthand the catastrophic impact of rampant pollution. Yet, in this daunting scenario, bioremediation emerged as a potential savior, offering a practical and sustainable solution. These wildfires were a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our actions and the environment, and the role bioremediation could play in restoring the delicate balance between the two. Thus, as we look toward healing our planet, we should recognize and leverage the value of such natural mechanisms to pave the way for a healthier future.
References
Bala, S., Garg, D., Thirumalesh, B. V., Sharma, M., Sridhar, K., Inbaraj, B. S., & Tripathi, M. (2022). Recent Strategies for Bioremediation of Emerging Pollutants: A Review for a Green and Sustainable Environment. Toxics, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080484
Hlihor, R. M., Gavrilescu, M., Tavares, T., Favier, L., & Olivieri, G. (2016). Bioremediation: An Overview on Current Practices, Advances, and New Perspectives in Environmental Pollution Treatment. BioMed Research International, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6327610
Kelly, J. (2023, June 16). Record breaking PM2.5 pollution levels in NYC in early June 2023 regular occurrence in over 350 cities worldwide. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. https://energyandcleanair.org/record-breaking-pm2-5-pollution-levels-in-nyc-in-early-june-2023-regular-occurrence-in-over-350-cities-worldwide/#:~:text=The%20first%20week%20of%20June
Lakshmi, P. K., Abirami, S., Meenakshi, S., Usha, C., Sakthieaswari, P., Aarthy, K., Gayathri, S. S., & Baby, S. (2022, January 1). Chapter 39 - Application of Deinococcus radiodurans for bioremediation of radioactive wastes (J. A. Malik, Ed.). ScienceDirect; Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323904520000372
Maxwell, O. I., Onyebuchukwu, M. G., Chinonso, O. E., Nnaemeka, I. C., & Afamefuna, E. K. (2022). Kinetics of Bioremediation of Oil Contaminated Water Dispersed by Environment-Friendly Bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Fungi (Aspergillus niger). Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science, 13(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.4236/aces.2023.131003
Ojewumi ME, Okeniyi JO, Ikotun JO, Okeniyi ET, Ejemen VA, Popoola API. Bioremediation: Data on Pseudomonas aeruginosa effects on the bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil. Data Brief. 2018 May 3;19:101-113. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.04.102. PMID: 29892623; PMCID: PMC5993174.
Sadraeian, M., & Molaee, Z. (2009, December 1). Bioinformatics Analyses of Deinococcus Radiodurans in Order to Waste Clean Up. IEEE Xplore; IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICECS.2009.36
Saha, L., Tiwari, J., Bauddh, K., & Ma, Y. (2021). Recent Developments in Microbe–Plant-Based Bioremediation for Tackling Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.731723