SAPTHAGIRI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)
(Accredited by NAAC with “A” grade) (NBA Accredited-CSE, ECE, EEE, ISE, ME)
(An ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 Certified)

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL

PRESENTATION BY:
1. GUNASHREE S (1SG21BT013)
2. SINCHANA D (1SG21BT036)
3. VAIDURYA KEERTHI (1SG21BT041)
4. VARADHAJITH M (ISG21BT042)
 POLLUTION
 Pollution is the introduction of substances into the natural environment in amounts or concentrations
that can be harmful for humans, animals, and plants. [1]
 Pollution can reduce the health of ecosystems by harming or even causing death to the living things
that call those ecosystems home. The negative effects of pollution can range in severity depending on
what the pollutant is, the characteristics of the pollutant, and where the pollutant is located.[1]

Fig 1:Pollution
 TYPES OF POLLUTION AND ITS
CONTROL
 Water, air, and land pollution are three major
categories of pollution. Sometimes pollution is easy to
detect and is obvious to see, like an oil spill from a
ship in the ocean. However, pollution can also be hard
to see, like in the case of many types of air pollution.
 Specific pollutants can also contaminate more than one
system at a time. For example, spilled chemicals may
contaminate soil at the spill site (land pollution), and
rain water may carry the chemicals and some of the
contaminated soil into waterways (water pollution).[1]

Fig 2:Types of Pollution

1. AIR POLLUTION
 Air Pollution is a mixture of gases and solid particles in the air. Air
pollution comes from the exhaust that cars and trucks produce
when they burn gasoline for fuel, chemicals from factories, dust,
mold, smog, and other sources. Air pollution can reach harmful
concentrations both outside and indoors. [2]
 Collaboration with experts in atmospheric science, environmental
engineering, and regulatory compliance is crucial for the
successful implementation of biotechnological approaches.
Additionally, staying informed about emerging technologies and
advancements in the field will contribute to more effective and
sustainable air pollution control solutions.[2]
Fig 3:Air Pollution
METHOD TO CONTROL
As a biotechnologist involved in air pollution control, you can contribute to developing sustainable and
eco-friendly solutions. Here are several techniques and approaches you can consider:

1. Biofiltration:
Biofilteration is an air pollution control technique
which involves biodegradation of contaminants under
the action of microorganism ,diffused in a thin layer of
moisture known as “BIOFILM” mainly used for
elimination of malodorous gas emissions and low
concentrations of volatile organic compounds
(VOC’s).

Fig 4: Biofilteration mechanism

2. Bio-based Air Purifiers:
Create bio-based air purifiers that utilize living
organisms or their metabolic by-products to improve
air quality. This can include indoor air purification
systems for homes and offices.

Fig 5:Bio-based purifiers

3. Microbial Biodegradation:
Utilize microorganisms that have the ability to break down pollutants in the air. For instance,
bacteria and fungi can be employed to degrade hydrocarbons and other organic pollutants.
2. WATER POLLUTION
 Water pollution can occur when pollutants are introduced into
groundwater, rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans. Sources of
water pollution include synthetic materials like plastics,
chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers, and natural materials like
nutrients and sediments.
 These pollutants often accumulate or build up as they flow
downstream. They often eventually end up in bays and oceans,
since all of these waterways are connected.
 It's important to tailor approaches to the specific characteristics
of the water pollution problem at hand. Collaboration with
environmental engineers, water quality experts, and
policymakers is essential for the successful implementation of
biotechnological solutions for water pollution control.
Additionally, adherence to regulatory guidelines and Fig 6: Role of microbes in
consideration of potential ecological impacts are crucial controlling water pollution
aspects of any water pollution control strategy.
METHODS TO CONTROL
1. Treatment methods:
Physical Treatment Technologies: Physical treatments
involve the use of physical processes to remove pollutants
from water. These include sedimentation, filtration, and
flocculation.

2. BIOREMEDIATION:
Develop genetically modified microorganisms with enhanced
capabilities for breaking down specific pollutants. Genetic
engineering can be used to improve the efficiency of microbial
processes in water treatment.

Fig 7:Genetically engineered

microorganism
3. Biological Sensors:
Develop biosensors that use living organisms or their components to detect pollutants in real-
time. These sensors can provide early warning systems for water quality monitoring.

Fig 8: Working of biological sensors

4. Phytoremediation:
Use plants to absorb and accumulate pollutants from water.
Certain plants, known as hyper-accumulators, can be effective in
removing heavy metals and other contaminants.

Fig 9:Using plants to remove contaminants in

water bodies
3.NOISE POLLUTION
 Noise pollution, unwanted or excessive sound that can
have deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and
environmental quality. Noise pollution is commonly
generated inside many industrial facilities and some other
workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway, and
airplane traffic and from outdoor construction activities.
 Controlling noise pollution using biotechnological
approaches is a unique and evolving field. While
traditional noise control methods involve physical barriers
and sound-absorbing materials, biotechnologists can
contribute to noise pollution control through innovative
Fig 10:Noise pollution
biological solutions.
METHODS TO CONTROL

1. Microbial Electrochemical Systems (MES) for Noise Control:

Explore the use of microbial electrochemical systems to generate electrical energy from
microorganisms while simultaneously offering noise-absorbing properties. This could be applied
in certain industrial settings.

2. Biological Sensors for Noise Monitoring:

Develop biological sensors that can monitor noise levels and
provide real-time feedback. This information can be used for
adaptive noise control strategies.

Fig 11:Noise monitoring sensors

3. Noise Barriers
Noise barrier (also called a sound wall, noise wall, sound berm, sound
barrier, or acoustical barrier) is an exterior structure designed to protect
inhabitants of sensitive land use areas from noise pollution. Noise barriers
are the most effective method of mitigating roadway, railway, and
industrial noise sources – other than cessation of the source activity or use
of source controls. Extensive use of noise barriers began in the United
States after noise regulations were introduced in the early 1970s
4.LAND POLLUTION
 Land pollution can be anything from litter on the
streets to spilled chemicals, such as gasoline in a
gas station parking lot. A large portion of land
pollution comes from industrial waste, which is
generated from manufacturers or factories. It can
also come from commercial waste produced by
businesses, such as plastic food wrappers.
 Working on land pollution control, you can
employ various biotechnological strategies to
remediate contaminated soil, prevent further Fig 12:Contaminated soil treatment
pollution, and restore the health of ecosystems.
METHODS TO CONTROL
1. Bioremediation:
• Bioaugmentation: Introduce specific strains of bacteria,
fungi, or plants that are capable of degrading or
metabolizing pollutants in the soil. This can be
particularly effective for organic contaminants such as
petroleum hydrocarbons.

• Biostimulation: Enhance the growth and activity of

existing microorganisms in the soil by providing
nutrients, oxygen, or other growth-promoting factors.

Fig 13:Bioremediation techniques

2. Soil Erosion Control:
Use biotechnological approaches to stabilize soil and
prevent erosion. This may involve the use of plants with
deep roots, microbial agents that promote soil aggregation,
or bioengineering techniques.

Fig 14:Soil erosion control

3. Mycoremediation:
Harness the remediation capabilities of certain fungi to
break down complex organic pollutants. Fungi such as
white-rot fungi are known for their ability to degrade a
wide range of organic compounds.

Fig 15:Mycoremediation
4. Enzyme-Assisted Remediation:
Use enzymes to accelerate the degradation of specific
contaminants in the soil. Enzymes can be applied
directly or produced by engineered microorganisms.

Fig 16:Remediation methods

5. Composting:
Implement composting techniques to biologically
degrade organic pollutants in soil. Microorganisms
involved in composting can break down organic matter
and convert it into nutrient-rich compost.

Fig 17:Composting
BENEFITS OF BIOTECHNOLOGICAL
APPROACHES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL
 Biotechnological approaches for pollution control offer several benefits, providing innovative
and sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges. Here are some key advantages:
1. Specificity and Selectivity
2. Environmentally Friendly
3. Innovative Solutions
4. Long-Term Sustainability
5. Community Acceptance
 CONCLUSION
 Our role would encompass applying biotechnological principles and methods to develop sustainable
and effective solutions for mitigating environmental pollution.
 pollution control is dynamic and requires a combination of scientific expertise, innovation, and
collaboration to address environmental challenges effectively. It's essential to approach pollution
control with a sustainable and long-term perspective, considering the ecological balance and the
well-being of both the environment and the communities affected.
 When implementing these techniques, it's essential to consider the specific characteristics of the
contaminated site, the nature of the pollutants, and the surrounding ecosystem. Collaboration with
scientists of respective fields, and environmental engineers is often crucial for the success of
pollution control projects. Additionally, compliance with environmental regulations and community
engagement are important aspects of sustainable remediation efforts.
 REFERENCES

[1] https://www.umces.edu/sites/default/files/What%20is%20Pollution%20-%20Final.pdf
[2] https://www.britannica.com/science/noise-pollution