Bioremediation Of Polluted Water Using Microorganisms

Human beings, through industrialization, have gradually contributed to the increased pollution of various, once clean, water sources. Many harmful elements constantly find their way into water bodies as byproducts of production processes. These not only lead to a disruption in the ecosystem of the water bodies but also increases the difficulty in water sanitation.

Together with the manmade sources of pollution, other vectors also lead to the contamination of water sources, thus making them unsuitable for human consumption. Thus, there is a need to use water treatment methods that are not only in harmony with nature but also offer a more efficient alternative to the traditional water treatment processes. Bioremediation, a fairly old but effective water treatment technology, offers a better insight into easier ways of treating water to produce drinkable water without the use of conventional operations.

Bioremediation refers to the use of microorganisms as a means to eliminate the pollutants present within a water sample. These include the microbes such as bacteria, fungi, or any similar biologically centered processes.

Bioremediation has long been used in the processing of wastewater before final disposal. However, it is yet to be fully implemented in the treatment of drinking water despite having such a huge promise to revolutionize how drinking water is treated. This is because research on such needs adequate time to correctly ascertain the actions of healthy microorganisms. Many studies are underway in the investigation of the potential  that bioremediation in line with modern systems.

Yes. The choice of the bacteria to be used in carrying out the remediation process is designed to use only those that are not disease-causing. There is a common misconception regarding bacteria and human health, where most believe that all types of bacteria cause diseases. This is a misleading notion. On the contrary, of the millions of bacteria available in nature, only a minute portion is disease-causing. Take, for instance, the sanitization of drinking water through boiling, which does not eliminate the bacteria in the water. The reason is, heat resistant bacteria will remain in the water.

There are also hundreds of bacteria in the human gut whose actions are healthy. Hence, the consumption of water containing some of the healthy bacteria used in the bioremediation process might even be advantageous to the consumer.

The microorganisms used to affect the process of bioremediation often consumes the pollutants present in the target water sources. They depend on the pollutants to produce their energy, and in the process eliminate them from the waters. The concept of bioremediation is not limited to a few contaminants and can be used in the removal of oil spills among others.

One common bioremediation technique that has been largely used in wastewater is such that the microorganisms consume the pollutants in the water, which increases their weights. Gravity action then ensures that they are collected at the bottom of the container in which the bioremediation action is involved. Various other techniques may then be used to complete the separation process. Bioremediation has been proven to present a superior means of removing the toxic metallic  compounds from water bodies as compared to the other traditional methods such as electrochemical procedures.

Bioremediation treatment of Water Pollution can remove chemicals that make their way into water systems. Some examples of the microorganisms used include nitrogen compounds and pesticides.

The range of bacteria available that have the potential to achieve the bioremediation process is very high. Several have been identified, and new ones keep showing up as studies also aim to understand their modes of action against these contaminants. Since various pollutants might be present in any given water, a variety of microorganisms can be used for its sanitization.

Bioremediation is related to two other practices that enhance its application. The first is bioaugmentation, which forms the core concept of the process. Bioaugmentation dals with the selection of the most appropriate microorganism to be used to attain the intended results. It is crucial that the selected bacteria not only operate efficiently under the given variables such as time and volume to be treated but also be specific to the pollutants that are to be eliminated.

The second factor is biofiltration, which is a common method associated with the bioremediation process. Biofiltration often incorporates the use of suitable microorganisms in the filtration systems of water treatment operations. This is a practice that preceded the current usage of chemicals for disinfection. Despite the apparent advantages, this practice is not in use currently. However, there is the promise to reinvent it with the greater insight that is currently available.

• Bioremediation is one of the most economically feasible methods of eliminating pollutants from the environment. The practice of Bioremediation is not only suitable for drinking water treatment but can be applied to various applications.
• Bioremediation is a natural process and is ecologically sustainable.
• The bioremediation of polluted waters using microorganisms is a superior process to the conventional systems because it works even when the contaminants are in very low concentrations. Furthermore, the ability of these agents to adapt to the changes in the physical conditions is also a plus.

Water-related infections are a menace to millions in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations. Hence, the many advantages brought about by bioremediation present a much better solution. Bioremediation will be able to supplement another simple, yet effective methods of water aquation such as water vapor harvesting and rainwater collection systems.

Despite still being in its infant stages, bioremediation offers a promising future for water treatment. The advantages of using the method as a way of treating water are innumerable. With the gradual advancement of research on the subject, more information is being realized. This could see the advent of systems through which chemicals are disbanded from the municipal treatment of water. As such bioremediation devices meant for use in the domestic settings may soon be in production.