Environmental biotechnology uses biological processes to protect and restore the environment. Bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade pollutants in air, water, and soil into less harmful substances. It can be used to treat wastewater, industrial effluents, drinking water, land, soil, air, and solid waste. Genetic engineering creates environmentally friendly alternatives by modifying microorganisms using recombinant DNA technology. Biotechnology shows potential to contribute to environmental remediation and protection.

1. Environmental Biotechnology Anjala Durgapal Lecturer Department of Botany M. B. Govt. P. G. College, Haldwani (Nainital) Uttrakhand

2. Introduction Biotechnology is “ the integration of natural sciences and engineering in order to achieve the application of organisms, cells parts thereof and molecular analogues for products and services ” (EFB, 1989). Environmental Biotechnology is the application of these processes for the protection and restoration of the quality of our environment.

7. Air and Gases Bio-scrubber (Cell suspension) Bio-trickling filter (Microorganisms immobilized on an inert matrix) Pollutants Nitrogen SO 2 Flue gas (blast furnace) Styrene (waste gas of polystyrene (Bio-filter: Fungi) Purified gases

8. Soil and land treatment In-situ: Bio-augmentation [ Introduction of micro-organisms ] Bio-stimulation [ Ventilation and /or adding nutrient solutions ] Ex-situ: Removal of soil and ground water and treating it above the ground Phyto-remediation employs use of plants and bacteria Metals from contaminated soils and ground water. For e.g.. Rhizobacteria Bio-remediation of land [bio-restoration] is cheaper than physical methods with harmless end products.

10. Prevention Involves development of processes with reduced environmental impacts Biotechnological ways of prevention are- Process improvement: Use of enzymes Product innovation: Development of new products that have less impact on environment their predecessors for e.g. genetically improved plant varieties that resistant against insects/ diseases, thereby reducing the use of pesticides.