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Researchers identify group of micro-organisms
LAHORE (January 22 2003) : Researchers in the US and Pakistan have identified a group of micro-organisms that can breakdown a common toxic pesticide, endosulfan.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that detoxifying pesticides through biological means is receiving attention as an alternative to existing methods, such as incineration and landfill, which are not sufficient for large, contaminated sites.
Researchers from the University of California at Riverside and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, have identified specific micro-organisms, which could breakdown the toxicity of endosulfan.
The sources said that by identifying micro-organisms to degrade endosulfan, these researchers are able to reduce the toxic residues in the soil.
The results of this study were published in the January-February issue of the 'Journal of Environmental Quality'.
According to them, micro-organisms could degrade pollutants, if the toxin is used as a carbon and energy source.
The scientists have been successful in isolating two strains that have immense potential for endosulfan degradation, they added.
According to them, endosulfan, classified as an organochlorine - the same family as DDT - was registered for use as a pesticide on 60 US crops. Its residues have been found in the atmosphere, soils, sediments, surface and ground waters, and food.
It was one of the most commonly detected pesticides in the US water, found in at least 38 states, and was rated by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a Category-1 pesticide with "extremely high acute toxicity," Endosulfan affects the central nervous system, kidney, liver, blood chemistry and parathyroid gland and has reproductive, teratogenic and mutagenic effects.
The sources further said that total average annual use of endosulfan was estimated at about 1.38 million pounds of the active ingredient.
Endosulfan and its breakdown products are persistent in the environment, entering the air, water, and soil during the pesticide's use and manufacture.
According to them, results of this work suggest these novel strains of micro-organisms are a valuable source of endosulfan degrading enzymes and may be used for the detoxification of endosulfan in contaminated soils, waste dumps, water bodies, industrial effluents and unused or expired stockpiles of the pesticide.
Courtesy Business Recorder
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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