Environment Cleaning Potential of Microorganisms Essays

Environment Cleaning Potential of Microorganisms Essays Environment Cleaning Potential of Microorganisms Paper Environment Cleaning Potential of Microorganisms Paper Bioremediation, a form of biotechnology, involves the use of the actions of microorganisms to aid in the removal of oil spills in oceans throughout the world. In essence, the process of bioremediation takes advantages of the biodegradation capabilities of microorganisms, which pertains to the capacity to break down and utilize various compounds, one of which is petroleum (Congress of the United States [CUS], 1991). Although by definition it is rather simple, bioremediation is not as easy as placing certain microorganism at oil spills. There are three different approaches used in bioremediation depending upon the conditions. The three methods are nutrient enrichment, indigenous microorganism seeding, and genetically altered microorganism seeding (CUS, 1991). In relation to this, the best known microorganisms that degrade oil are from strains of Bacteroides, Cytophaga, and Flexibacter, which are all gram negative bacteria (MacNaughton et al., 1999). The fact that bioremediation is considered as biotechnology is easily proven. Given that the term biotechnology is a generalization of the use and application of organisms and related processes for the benefit of humans, in this case, microorganisms are used to improve the condition of the environment which evidently improves the environment and eventually benefits humans. Due to biotechnology being associated with alterations in known organisms, the public has often been concerned about the negative impacts which biotechnology may bring. In this case, however, the main concern is the possibility that the added microorganisms might alter ecological balance. This is easily refuted as studies have shown that upon clearing the spill, the oil degrading microorganisms become significantly minute in terms of number, hence allowing the natural balance during normal conditions to persist. The only question whether bioremediation may be used is regarding the capacity of the government to provide such solutions. Therefore, in a purely environmental and biological sense, bioremediation is the best and safest possible way of eliminating oil spills in the ocean. References MacNaughton, S. J., Stephen, J. R., Venosa, A. D., Davis, G. A., Chang, Y., White, D. C. (1999, August). Microbial population changes during bioremediation of an experimental oil spill. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 65 (8), 3566 – 3574. United States Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. (1991, May). Bioremediation for Marine Oil Spills- Background Paper, OTA-BP-O-70. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved May 14, 2009, from fas.org/ota/reports/9109.pdf.