therapeutic action: Environmental remediation

Ecological indicators and biological resources for hydrocarbon rhizoremediation in a protected area

A gasoline pipeline spill contaminated a protected nature area in Italy, threatening rare fish species. Scientists tested whether plants and natural bacteria could clean up the pollution. They found that corn and sunflower plants, combined with bacteria from the soil, could remove about 70-80% of the petroleum pollution in just 38 days. The study showed this approach could successfully restore the protected area without expensive chemical treatments.

Read More »

Microbial Consortium–Mediated Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate in Orthodontic Aligners: A Comprehensive Review

This review examines how microorganisms can break down plastic used in clear orthodontic aligners (PET plastic). Clear aligners are popular because they are invisible and comfortable, but patients need new ones every 1-2 weeks, creating significant plastic waste. Scientists have discovered bacteria and fungi that produce special enzymes capable of degrading this plastic into harmless components, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration.

Read More »

Immobilization of Acinetobacter sp. A-1 and Applicability in Removal of Difenoconazole from Water–Sediment Systems

Scientists discovered a bacterium that can break down difenoconazole, a fungicide widely used in agriculture. They trapped these bacteria in tiny gel beads to make them more stable and effective at cleaning up contaminated water and soil. The immobilized bacteria were more resilient and broke down the pesticide more efficiently than free bacteria, offering a promising natural solution for cleaning up fungicide pollution in the environment.

Read More »

Mycoremediation of Flotation Tailings with Agaricus bisporus

Researchers investigated whether common button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) can help clean up polluted industrial waste from copper mining. They grew mushrooms on compost mixed with contaminated flotation tailings at different concentrations and measured which elements the mushrooms accumulated. The mushrooms successfully absorbed certain metals and elements, suggesting they could be useful for environmental cleanup, though more testing is needed before using them in real industrial applications.

Read More »

Nanomaterial-mediated strategies for enhancing bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A systematic review

This review examines how combining tiny engineered materials (nanomaterials) with natural microorganisms can more effectively clean up environmental pollution from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are harmful chemicals produced by burning fossil fuels and other processes. The study found that using nanomaterials alongside bacteria significantly improved pollution removal rates in water and soil, with improvements of up to 19% in liquid samples and 14% in soil samples. Different types of nanomaterials like carbon-based materials and metal oxides work by helping bacteria degrade pollutants more efficiently through various mechanisms. This approach offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution compared to using traditional remediation methods alone.

Read More »

Biodegradation of BTEX by Bacteria Isolated From Soil Contaminated With Petroleum Sludge and Liquid and Solid Petrochemical Effluents

Scientists isolated bacteria from oil-contaminated soil that can effectively break down BTEX chemicals, which are toxic pollutants from petroleum products. Two bacterial strains, Arthrobacter pascens and Bacillus sp., proved most effective at degrading these harmful compounds, removing over 80% within 12 days. These findings suggest these bacteria could be used to clean up contaminated sites naturally and cost-effectively.

Read More »

The Production of Biochar and Its Impact on the Removal of Various Emerging Pollutants from Wastewater: A Review

Biochar is a charcoal-like material made from plant and animal waste through a heating process called pyrolysis. This material acts like a sponge that can trap harmful pollutants from contaminated water, including heavy metals, medicines, and pesticides. Scientists have developed various ways to improve biochar’s cleaning power, making it an affordable and environmentally friendly solution for purifying water.

Read More »

Isolation and characterization of thermotolerant hydrocarbon degrading bacteria which sustained the activity at extreme salinity and high osmotic conditions

Scientists isolated two special bacteria from highly polluted oil fields in Iran that can degrade diesel and survive in extreme conditions. These bacteria tolerate very salty soils, high temperatures up to 50°C, and drought stress that would kill ordinary bacteria. This discovery is important because oil-contaminated areas often have these harsh conditions, and using these adapted bacteria could help clean up oil spills in difficult environments like Middle Eastern oil fields.

Read More »

Enhancing Phenanthrene Degradation by Burkholderia sp. FM-2 with Rhamnolipid: Mechanistic Insights from Cell Surface Properties and Transcriptomic Analysis

Scientists studied how a natural soap-like substance called rhamnolipid can help bacteria degrade phenanthrene, a dangerous pollution compound found in oil-contaminated soil. They found that the right amount of this substance makes the bacteria better at breaking down the pollutant by changing the bacteria’s surface properties and activating specific genes. The research shows promise for developing better methods to clean up contaminated environments.

Read More »

Statistical optimization of crude oil bioremediation using Streptomyces aurantiogriseus isolated from Egypt’s Western Desert

Researchers from Egypt isolated a special type of bacteria called Streptomyces aurantiogriseus that can break down crude oil and remove it from contaminated soil. Using scientific optimization techniques, they found the best conditions for this bacteria to work most effectively, achieving 92% oil removal in soil experiments. This eco-friendly approach offers a sustainable solution to clean up oil-polluted environments without harmful chemicals.

Read More »
Scroll to Top