Advancing Biotechnology Toward Pollutant Recirculation and Recovery in a Changing World

The survival of living beings depends on the interaction between biotic and abiotic components. The sustainability of various physical components of the environment indicates the well-being of individuals. However, human activities such as the rapid rise of industrialization, combustion of fossil fuels, inappropriate agricultural practices, improper waste management, and greenhouse gas emissions are causing major environmental problems. Various biotechnological techniques come to the rescue to purify the contaminated environment through the use of microbes and genetic engineering and create a pollution-free ecosystem. One of the major methods of cleaning polluted sites is bioremediation. It involves the use of microorganisms that break down different harmful pollutants into harmless substances, thereby restoring the sustainability of the ecosystem. Plants can also play a role in rebuilding ecosystems by removing polluted substances through a technique termed phytoremediation. Other biotechnological approaches such as biodegradation, biofiltration, microplastic degradation, enzymatic engineering, metabolic engineering, and biomonitoring not only degrade harmful pollutants but also control environmental pollution by monitoring the contaminants. Wastewater contains many organic pollutants. To remove these organic wastes, different eco-friendly biotechnological methods are employed. To combat the harmful effects produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels are created by using agricultural, domestic, and industrial biological wastes. In short, biotechnology provides effective approaches that deal with environmental issues and recover the ecosystem.