which area of biotechnology primarily involves using living organisms to process, degrade, and clean up environmental pollution?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The area of biotechnology that primarily involves using living organisms to process, degrade, and clean up environmental pollution is bioremediation.
Bioremediation is the use of biological organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and plants, to degrade or detoxify harmful substances in the environment. This technology harnesses the natural processes of these organisms to break down pollutants into less harmful or non-toxic substances. The process can be used in a variety of environments, including contaminated soil, water, and air. Bioremediation is especially useful for cleaning up pollutants that are difficult or costly to remove using traditional methods, such as heavy metals, petroleum products, pesticides, and organic solvents.
One common method of bioremediation is microbial bioremediation, where microorganisms, especially bacteria and fungi, are used to degrade organic pollutants. These microorganisms can metabolize the pollutants, transforming them into harmless substances like water, carbon dioxide, or simpler organic compounds. This process can occur naturally, known as natural attenuation, or it can be enhanced artificially by adding nutrients or oxygen to promote microbial growth.
Another form of bioremediation is phytoremediation, which involves the use of plants to absorb, accumulate, or detoxify pollutants from the environment. Some plants have the ability to take up heavy metals or organic pollutants through their roots, storing them in their tissues. This method is particularly effective in restoring contaminated soil or water bodies.
Bioremediation offers several advantages over traditional cleanup methods, such as being cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and capable of targeting a wide range of contaminants. It is also often used in combination with other environmental management strategies to achieve more comprehensive remediation results.