Objectives

Phytoremediation is an experimental technology for reclamation of contaminated soils. One problem, presently limiting its applicability for certain organic pollutants, is insufficient degradation of the pollutants by the plants. As a result, the original compound or its metabolites build-up in the plants (poisoning the plants) or are volatilized through the leaves (causing a new environmental problem).

This project aims to develop and test specific endophytic (plant-internal) bacteria capable of degrading key pollutants. These new bacteria, when inoculated to the inside of plants, will degrade the pollutants as they are being transported from the roots to the leaves. This will reduce phytotoxicity and volatilization of the pollutants. As a result, phytoremediation technology will be applicable to more toxic compounds or higher pollutant concentrations, and will maintain its social and regulatory appeal.

This project intends to solve the question: Can endophytic bacteria be utilized to improve phytoremediation of organic pollutants? We hypothesize that endophytic bacteria can be made to degrade toxic organic compounds within the plant vascular system. Thereby they will assist the plants in metabolising soil contaminants. As a result, even when the plants are taking up pollutants at a high rate, the concentration of toxic compounds in the plant sap will be kept low. This will reduce contaminant toxicity for, and volatilization from, the plants.


ENDEGRADE Project
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