Phytoremediation: Using Plants To Combat a Stressed Environment

9. How would the soil biota be affected by using traditional chemical pesticides and would this differ from using transgenic methods? Which method would be safer and why?

Modern farming and agricultural operations contribute to the degradation and contamination of our environment as well as the neighboring ecosystems. Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, animal manure and other Argo-chemicals are rich in chemical nutrients and toxic substances which are often the major sources of agricultural pollution. The use of these various types of products can affect water quality when it rains, and the contaminated soils and water is washed into the waters or into ground waters. These chemicals can also be absorbed by plants which are then consumed by animals and even humans, harmful to animal and human health. There are many causes of this pollution.

No antibacterial compounds are available resistant to this disease but genetic engineering has developed the first trees to resist this devastating disease and increased the consumption level. Specific foods have been developed to correct malnutrition problems. To this end, plants have been modified to provide increased and more stable quantities of essential amino acids, vitamins, or desirable fatty acids. For example, golden rice has been genetically modified to increase beta-carotene content which may help to overcome the severe vitamin A deficiencies that cause blindness and iron. Plants can also be genetically modified to grow well in areas of low production potential. For example, two researchers in Mexico inserted a gene from a bacterium into papaya and tobacco to produce acid-tolerant crops. The crops thus secrete citric acid from their roots by combining with toxic metals which in turn making the soils accessible to protect the tropical forests which contain most of the world’s species of plants and animals. Genetic engineering also helps to decrease or eliminate the allergenic proteins that occur naturally. For example, it has been already used to reduce the levels of major allergen in rice and peanuts. Genetic engineering brings closer the prospect of commercial production in plants of edible vaccines and therapeutics for preventing and treating human diseases like cancer and diabetes. The genetically derived vaccines are potentially

The pH of soil is important for the absorption of nutrients into the plant. Of the 17 needed plant nutrients 14 of them are acquired through the soil. Acidity is needed to break down and dissolve these nutrients. The nutrients are able to dissolve into the soil faster when the acid is acting as a solute. Another way the pH affects the soil is by influencing microorganisms. The bacteria is crucial in the growth and development of the plant, the bacteria’s role is to break down and decompose organic matter in the soil. If the pH of the soil is too high the acid will slow down and eventually stop the microorganisms. Most plants ideal pH is between 6-7, slightly acidic. Many plants are outliers and thrive in pH such as carrots and corn, which can withstand pH as low as 5.5. If the pH of the soil is too high for the desired crop farmers can add material such as limestone, and wood ashes to raise the pH to the desired level. The pH of the soil can also be changed naturally through the leaching of calcium, magnesium and sodium by rainwater. Carbon dioxide from rotting organic matter can also increase the pH of the soil. Acids can also be created organically in the form of sulfuric and nitric

Bioremediators need to be able to grow in order to remediate the soil of pollutants. The purpose of this research is to determine whether the presence of Stropharia rugoso-annulata in the soil will support and accelerate the growth of ryegrass in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship. If the growth of the ryegrass is accelerated and supported, the combination of the two bioremediators could potentially accelerate the degradation of PAHs in the soil. Techniques such as soil washing, soil flushing, vitrification, etc., exist to remediate contaminated soil. Although, these techniques are effective, they also disturb the natural environment to some degree. Bioremediation is often accomplished in situ resulting in minimal environmental disturbance. This study is being performed because healthy soil is a limited resource that needs to be preserved and replenished. The state of soil can impact the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, therefore, it’s important to be able to monitor and control the pollutants in

It is commonly argued that Genetically Modified Organisms pose numerous risk to the health of the environment, however compared to current farming practices, Genetically Modified Organisms, pose, if any, a minimal threat to the environment . And in addition to that GMOs have been able to counterbalance the effects caused by traditional farming and others human errors. For example, emission of greenhouses gases been a major concern for scientist, who see levels of gases like Carbon Dioxide on a rapid and the American government, who has the duty to regulate such developments. However, Genetically Modified Organisms have played a significant role in the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Modified crops need impressively less fuel allocated to themselves in order to be maintained. As well because such crops need less tilling, Carbon Dioxide is allowed to remain trapped in the soil. According to these findings, in 2008, this resulted in 16 billion kilograms of Carbon Dioxide to be removed from the earth’s atmosphere. Not only has GMOs played a significant role in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, they have also decreased soil erosion. Soil erosion, an issue that is not heavily regarded as

The article shows that GMOs having been modified to produce herbicides and insecticides, cause damaging effects on human cells because of the toxic residues on the plants. Séralini is professor of molecular biology at the University of Caen, France, and president of the scientific board of CRIIGEN (Committee of Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering). The author was Professor of Biology for 8 years and then became a PhD student in biology at the Institute of Fundamental Applied Biology from the University of Caen Basse Normandie in the team of Professor Séralini and project manager in the CRIIGEN. This study relies on experiments conducted in the laboratory. The study has the support of several members in the scientific community that adds credibility for the same. The study is relevant because it proves that GMOs could potentially be harmful because they are toxic to animal and human

Biotechnology provides farmers with tools that can make production cheaper and more manageable. For example, some biotechnology crops can be engineered to tolerate specific herbicides, which make weed control simpler and more efficient. Other crops have been engineered to be resistant to specific plant diseases and insect pests, which can make pest control more reliable and effective, and/or can decrease the use of synthetic pesticides. These crop production options can help countries keep pace with demands for food while reducing production costs. The USDA also mentions the fact that they are still trying to discover new methods to help the U.S. Often people worry about the negative rumors of what happens to crops when Genetically engineered plants are being grown. Genetically engineered plants are also being developed for a purpose known as phytoremediation in which the plants detoxify pollutants in the soil or absorb and accumulate polluting substances out of the soil so that the plants may be harvested and disposed of safely. In either case the result is improved soil quality at a polluted site. Biotechnology may also be used to conserve natural resources, enable animals to more effectively use nutrients present in feed, decrease nutrient runoff into rivers and bays, and help meet the increasing world food and land demands. Researchers are at work to produce hardier crops that will flourish in even the harshest environments and

However, those in that “naturally” happening “aluminum” distillates to “toxic proportions” are not going to grow nothing until “leaf litter” and “microbes” will make “soil” once more. (160)

In order to develop the local soil criteria for identifying soils that would result in Pb concentrations in agricultural produce over food quality standard, it is crucial to establish the links between Pb contamination in soils and foods (Zhang et al., 2018a; Zhang et al., 2018b). Numerous studies have investigated the Pb as well as other trace metals soil-plant relationships. For Pb, higher levels in foods such as vegetables often found where soil levels were relatively higher (Samsøe-Petersen et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2018b). Bioconcentration factors (BCFs), with a linear uptake assumption were often used to link the soil-plant contamination levels. Despite of some successful attempts (Samsøe-Petersen et al., 2002), results overall were not consistent especially for Pb (Ding et al., 2016; Samsøe-Petersen et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2018b).

Imagine a world filled with famine, food restrictions and limited resources. Without the help of genetically altered crops and farms, the recent events of severe weather and human impacts will quickly lead us onto this dark path. The goal of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, is to feed the world's malnourished population. By exploring the optimistic side to GMOs, it helps to paint an incredible picture for the Earth’s future. I have spent my time here at Missouri State, studying the environment and the ecosystems as well as how they can safely be manipulated to ensure sustainable life of these plants and animals. This being said, there are careful steps that must be taken to guarantee that the destruction of our ecosystems, does not happen.

The contaminants had a direct correlation on plant growth and showed that the control group had the highest average plant growth rate. This showed that this was a testable experiment by comparing more than 3 groups on the average height of plants throughout 4 weeks. A source of error that affected this result was that Group 3 did not water the radish plants (Raphanus sativus) during week 3. This caused plant groups 1 and 2 grow higher than the control. If the plants were watered with the contaminants the results would be different and on average the control plant would have the greatest height. The experiment generally had accurate results and no outliers in the data recorded. Replication was achieved during this study because 3 data sets were recorded under the same experimental conditions, each given the same amount of water (50 ml), the amount of light, and percentage of contaminated water. Contaminants are phytotoxic to the soils of plants and show that there is a negative effect on growth. This experiment shows that humans should be mindful of the contaminants used in the environment because it can have a negative effect on

Deprivation of accepted resources is perhaps one of the lethal lapses mankind has ever prepared in its voyage of progress and civilization. All the natural resources are contaminated with lethal lapses. Among them the land and water resources are worst affected and under continuous stress with both biotic and abiotic, due to anthropogenic interventions. If we talk about the soul of infinite life i.e., SOIL then it seems to appear the primary recipient by design or accident of a myriad of waste products and chemicals used in modern society. Soil contamination can be defined as the, addition of any substance to soil that may exert adverse effects on its functioning and capacity to yield a crop. Contamination of heavy metal is of special worry

Many varieties of genetically engineered crops have been designed to decrease the need for chemicals, particularly pesticides. Herbicide-tolerant varieties are among the most widely used type of genetically-modified crop, which enables farmers to use a single herbicide to eradicate weeds rather than rely on a cocktail of pesticides and herbicides. Eliminating weeds in this fashion also decreases the need for soil tillage, which can negatively impact soil ecology. (Ford,

Phytoremediation is the process by which plants and trees are used to remove or stabilize hazardous pollutants that exist in soil, sediments, surface water or groundwater. The EPA (environmental protection agency) estimates that more than 30,000 sites in the U.S. are in need of environmental treatment, and a great number of these sites are contaminated with highly toxic metals. Abandoned or under-used commercial and industrial facilities, termed as “brownfields,” are a major contributor to this environment concern. “Brownfields” pose significant health risks to nearby residential populations and threaten the plant and animal life close to them. Phytoremediation provides a very