Bioremediation An Environmental Friendly Approach For sustainable Aquaculture

Abstract

Aquaculture productivity needs to be improved to cater the ever-increasing demand, no doubt, but simultaneously a proactive role for environment protection is required. Bioremediation, an integral part of environmental biotechnology program, can be defined as a biological mechanism to destroy, transform or immobilize environmental contaminants to protect potential sensitive receptors. It is achieved by using a macro or microorganism that specifically targets particular pollutants. These microbes range from those which having a natural affinity towards hydrocarbons to others, which through competitive exclusion limit the presence of pathogenic microorganisnfs in aquacultural environments. Bacterial species belonging to genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cellulomonas, Rhodoseudomonas, Nitrosomonas and ~lritrobacter are known to help in mineralization of organic wastes. This technology is conceptually simple and relies on actively promoting nutrient processing by bacteria into forms suitable for uptake by aquatic plants or animals. Now, when aqua culturist has to follow the effluent discharge guidelines as stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), bioremediation or bioaugmentation can be a great aid. The substrate based aquaculture, the concept of biofilm, biocapsules, probiotics and microbial mats are being increasingly recognized in commercial aquaculture. In addition to that with the vast genomic data and genetic engineering it is now possible to redesign the microbes to produce molecular biosensors and bioreporters (which can recognize pollutants) and genetically modified bacteria to utilize organic waste. This review attempts to describe the underlining principles, present status and future prospects of bioremediation for sustainable aquaculture practice.