2. Introduction Biotechnology is “ the integration of natural sciences and engineering in order to achieve the application of organisms, cells parts thereof and molecular analogues for products and services ” (EFB, 1989). Environmental Biotechnology is the application of these processes for the protection and restoration of the quality of our environment.
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7. Air and Gases Bio-scrubber (Cell suspension) Bio-trickling filter (Microorganisms immobilized on an inert matrix) Pollutants Nitrogen SO 2 Flue gas (blast furnace) Styrene (waste gas of polystyrene (Bio-filter: Fungi) Purified gases
8. Soil and land treatment In-situ: Bio-augmentation [ Introduction of micro-organisms ] Bio-stimulation [ Ventilation and /or adding nutrient solutions ] Ex-situ: Removal of soil and ground water and treating it above the ground Phyto-remediation employs use of plants and bacteria Metals from contaminated soils and ground water. For e.g.. Rhizobacteria Bio-remediation of land [bio-restoration] is cheaper than physical methods with harmless end products.
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10. Prevention Involves development of processes with reduced environmental impacts Biotechnological ways of prevention are- Process improvement: Use of enzymes Product innovation: Development of new products that have less impact on environment their predecessors for e.g. genetically improved plant varieties that resistant against insects/ diseases, thereby reducing the use of pesticides.
