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Q4 (IAS/2017) Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Conservation › Biological remediation methods Official Key

In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ? 1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (1 only).

Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms[1], which confirms that statement 1 is correct as it enhances the natural biodegradation process.

Statement 2 is incorrect because bioremediation is limited to those compounds that are biodegradable, and not all compounds are susceptible to rapid and complete degradation[2]. Heavy metals like cadmium and lead cannot be readily and completely treated through bioremediation as they are not biodegradable in the same way as organic pollutants.

Statement 3 is incorrect as early expectations of solving pollution and many other environmental problems through genetic engineering have conspicuously failed[3]. While genetic engineering techniques exist theoretically, their practical application in creating effective bioremediation microorganisms has not materialized successfully. Therefore, only statement 1 represents a genuine advantage of bioremediation.

Sources
  1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.I3. BIOREMEDIATION > p. 99
  2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Disadvantages of bioremediation > p. 101
  3. [3] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2015/01/biosafety-and-the-environmental-uses-of-micro-organisms_g1g42b15/9789264213562-en.pdf
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ? 1. It is a technique fo…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10
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This question rewards scientific literacy over rote memorization. While S1 and S3 are standard textbook definitions (Shankar IAS), S2 is a logic test: biological enzymes break organic bonds but cannot destroy elemental heavy metals. The strategy is to always check the 'substrate' (organic vs inorganic) when evaluating biological technologies.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In the context of solving pollution problems, does bioremediation clean up pollution by enhancing the natural biodegradation processes that occur in nature?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.I3. BIOREMEDIATION > p. 99
Presence: 5/5
“• r Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms, • r The microorganisms may be indigenous to a contaminated area or they may be isolated from elsewhere and brought to the contaminated site. '! The process of bioremediation can be monitored indirectly by measuring the Oxidation Reduction Potential or redox in soil and groundwater, together with pH, temperature, oxygen content, electron acceptor/donor concentrations, and concentration of breakdown product(s. e.g. carbon dioxide)'}]}<|im_start|>user”
Why this source?
  • Defines bioremediation as use of microorganisms to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.
  • States microbes may be indigenous or introduced to the contaminated site, implying enhancement of natural microbial degradation.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > bi Ex situ bioremediation techniques > p. 100
Presence: 5/5
“(bi Ex situ bioremediation techniques • Ex situ - involves the removal of the contaminated material to be treated elsewhere, • e Landfarming: contaminated soil is excavated and spread over a prepared bed and periodically tilled until pollutants are degraded. The goal is to stimulate indigenous biodegradative microorganisms and facilitate their aerobic degradation of contaminants. • Biopiles: it is a hybrid of landfarming and composting. Essentially, engineered cells are constructed as aerated composted piles. Using bioremediation techniques, TERI has developed a mixture of bacteria called 'oilzapper' which degrades the pollutants of oil-contaminated sites, leaving behind no harmful residues. This technique is not only environment friendly, but also highly cost-effective.”
Why this source?
  • Describes landfarming and biopiles where the goal is to stimulate indigenous biodegradative microorganisms.
  • Explicitly states facilitation of aerobic degradation of contaminants — i.e., enhancing natural biodegradation processes.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Disadvantages of bioremediation > p. 101
Presence: 4/5
“• Bioremediation is limited to those compounds that are biodegradable. Not all compounds are susceptible to rapid and complete degradation. • Biological processes are often highly specific. • It is difficult to extrapolate from bench and pilot_ scale studies to full-scale field operations. • Bioremediation often takes longer time than other treatment process.”
Why this source?
  • Notes bioremediation is limited to compounds that are biodegradable, linking the method specifically to biodegradation processes.
  • Mentions biological processes are specific and bioremediation may take longer, reinforcing that it relies on natural microbial activity.
Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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