Bioremediation: A Proven and Cost Effective Tool for Repairing the Environment

Abstract

About twenty years ago, bioremediation—the art and science of harnessing the natural metabolic processes of everything from simple microorganisms to plants to destroy or sequester contaminants—became a real option. The potential to engineer these processes created a new alternative to capital- and management-intensive mechanically driven protocols, leading to the rise of a thriving industry to serve this new strategic approach. We are now experiencing the maturation of this “era of bioremediation,” which is further being enhanced with in-situ thermal and chemical oxidation processes for more rapid initial site impacts. Taken together, we are moving into an “era of in-situ treatment,” but regardless of how one intervenes with thermal or chemical energy in a contaminated area, biological processes ultimately are needed to finish the operation. Furthermore, many exciting new developments in molecular biology are now enhancing the science of bioremediation, so that with a more refined understanding of key biological players and processes, we can better design and manage bioremediation engineering. The Republic of the Philippines is like any other country with a modern economy—it faces severe environmental problems that have reached crisis proportions. However, as an island nation with limited territory, these problems have a special insidious feature: there is no place to run. Fortunately, with the help of powerful natural processes like bioremediation, which work around the clock without supervision, we have the tools to heal the environment in a cost-effective manner. Consequently, the National Academy of Science and Technology formed a Bioremediation Research Team (BRT), which, after a series of meetings, decided to focus on unattended sources of hazardous wastes, with a special emphasis on the problems of the mining industry. The issuance of Executive Order No. 270—the National Policy Agenda on Revitalizing Mining in the Philippines (January 16, 2004), and the favorable Supreme Court decision on the Philippine Mining Act 7942 of 1995, have led to the revitalization of the local minerals industry, which had nearly stagnated prior to the decision. These decisions elicited hope in both public and private sectors that a revitalized mining industry could boost the economy. However, two main issues are associated with the mining industry: abandoned mines and the management of mine wastes. How can bioremediation help? Well, from the top down, we have phytoremediation, which harnesses the healing aspects of plants for the more superficial aspects of these abandoned mines, while subsurface engineered biological barriers, which rely on microorganism activity, address contaminated aquifers. The BRT proposes to conduct a project on Field Test Applications of Phytoremediation and Microbial Technologies for the Rehabilitation of Contaminated Mine Sites. This project will utilize established heavy metal-resistant plants. Jatropha curcas, commonly known as “tubang bakod,” is a prime candidate as it thrives in marginalized land, and its nuts can be used as a source of biodiesel. Other projects on “The Use of Local Bioremediation-based Technologies for the Management of Wastes from the Mining Industry” are also being proposed. The BRT, composed of microbiologists, chemists, botanists, foresters, and plant biologists, believes that bioremediation projects are worth pursuing, should funds become available.