US, Italian and UK researchers commercialise biological methods for cleaning up polluted soil and water
Three universities in the US, Italy and UK have recently commercialised their research into biological methods for cleaning up polluted soil and water. Using phytoremediation and microbal control methods, scientists from Cornell University, the University of Surrey and the University of Naples, have developed biological products capable of removing contaminants in waste water streams and polluted soil. 'These products will provide low cost alternatives to commonly used chemical or physical clean-up methods. Biological methods for the remediation of soils or sediments or waters contaminated with heavy metals or arsenic or toxic compounds such as cyanide or coal tars, have been implemented by other companies on a very limited scale,' said Gary Harman, horticulturist from Cornell University and one of the founding members of the new spin-off company created by the three universities, Phytobials LLC. The new method makes use of a microbe known as Trichoderma harzianum strain (T22). By increasing plant root depth and density, as well as the formation of finer roots, the microbe is said to enhance the uptake of the minerals and nutrients necessary for plant growth. Used with plants that absorb heavy metals and toxins such as arsenic, T22 and other microbes will work to detoxify contaminated soil and water. T22 is also expected to be used to break down the toxins found in old coal gas production sites or petroleum spills. Furthermore, researchers have found that the Phytobials systems are also capable of removing carbolic acid based contaminants from waters polluted during olive oil processing.
Countries
Italy, United Kingdom, United States