Our bioremediation and phytoremediation studies are conducted with a focus on developing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for the remediation of contaminated sites. We employ a tiered approach, beginning with thorough site characterisation to identify the specific pollutants, their concentrations, and the physicochemical properties of the affected soil and water. This initial assessment guides the selection of the most appropriate bioremediation or phytoremediation strategies, considering factors such as the type of contaminant, site conditions, and desired cleanup goals.

For bioremediation studies, we investigate the potential of indigenous and exogenous microorganisms to degrade or transform target pollutants. This involve isolating and characterising microbial consortia with high metabolic activity towards the contaminants of concern. We conduct laboratory-scale experiments to optimise bioremediation parameters such as nutrient availability, oxygen levels, pH, and temperature to enhance microbial activity and degradation rates. Furthermore, we explore bioaugmentation strategies, introducing selected microorganisms or microbial consortia to the contaminated environment, and biostimulation techniques, which involve modifying environmental conditions to stimulate the growth and activity of indigenous pollutant-degrading microorganisms. Advanced molecular techniques are employed to monitor microbial community dynamics and track the degradation pathways of the contaminants.

Our phytoremediation studies focus on utilising the natural ability of plants to remove, degrade, or stabilise pollutants from soil, sediment, and water. We screen and select plant species with high tolerance and accumulation potential for the target contaminants, considering factors such as biomass production, root system architecture, and ease of management. Greenhouse and field-based experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different phytoremediation techniques, including phytoextraction (uptake and accumulation of pollutants in plant biomass), phytodegradation (breakdown of pollutants within plant tissues or rhizosphere), phytostabilisation (immobilisation of pollutants in the soil), and rhizofiltration (uptake of pollutants from water by plant roots). We also investigate the potential for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency using amendments, such as chelating agents or microbial inoculants, and explore the sustainable management of harvested plant biomass. The overall goal of our bioremediation and phytoremediation studies is to develop cost-effective, ecologically sound, and long-term solutions for environmental cleanup.