Pesticides: Solutions Through Bioremediation

Usin Enzymes for Bioremediation An enzyme-based product has been developed that can rapidly degrade pesticide residues in soil and water.The product, Languard was developed jointly by CSIRO Entomology and Orica Watercare. Landguard reduced organophosphate levels in cotton irrigation wastewater by 90 per cent within 10 minutes. Bioremediation Products Farmers can now use this bioremediation product, Landguard, to remove organophosphates from wastewater contaminated with sheep dip or other pesticides. Other similar products in the research pipeline include enzymes to degrade:
 * Carbaryl


 * Synthetic pyrethroids


 * Herbicides

Moisture and nutrients may be added to the soil as needed and the pH can be controlled by adding crushed limestone or lime throughout the bioremediation process.

Ex-situ Bioremediation

The ex-situ treatment is the act of removing and then treating. For contaminated soils and water are treated best when removed from the site of contamination. Land farming, biopile treatment and pump-and-treat are the most common processes of ex-situ.

Pump-and-treat: Designed specifically to remediate contaminated groundwater.

Process: The contaminated water is removed formt he ground and sent to an engineered treatment system. It can occur via activated slidge, a trickling filter, rotating biological contactors, and ion exchange, among other possible systems.

Landfarming: Invloves the excavation and relocation of contaminated media. The soil is tilled periodically to aerate the waste and remix the active microbes

Process: Several soil conditions are monitored to ensure a high rate of degradation. They inclide, moisture content, aeration and pH.

In-situ Bioremediation

In-situ (in place) treatment can be conducted through several ways such as: fungi as a degrader of pesitcides, bioventing.

Fungi: Is capable of degrading certain pesticides 45-75% more effectively than other samples according to lab tests.

Bioventing: For this, injection wells are constructed at the location of contamination.

Water and nutrients are provided to replace microbial losses thorughout the remediation process.


 * Nitrogen and phosphorus are two commonly added nutrients.

http://home.eng.iastate.edu