UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2017

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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 3 only

Explanation

Bioremediation enhances natural biodegradation (statement 1 correct) and can employ genetically engineered microbes (statement 3 correct). However, heavy metals like cadmium and lead cannot be fully degraded/treated by microorganisms since they are non-biodegradable elements, making statement 2 incorrect.

Topics: bioremediation, environment and ecology, geography, pollution control technologies