ABSTRACT
Biotechnology is frequently used to facilitate acclimatized organisms and engineer them in useful ways to help clean up the environment and keep it green for future generations. As well as eliminating the use of pollutants and wastes that affect our environment, there is a need to promote and sustain societal development with the lowest possible impact on the environment. All biological processes have a role in the removal of pollutants. Biotechnology in particular enables researchers and other scientists to take advantage of this new versatility of organisms to convert and degrade certain compounds. Biotreatment technologies such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, and biosorption effectively remove many xenobiotic compounds. Use of bioplastics, biofertilizers, and biopesticides is currently accepted because they significantly reduce the environmental hazards of chemical use such as petrochemically derived plastics, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Bioenergy and biofuel production significantly contribute to environmental protection through sustainable routes. Another application of biotechnology, bioscrubbing, facilitates the neutralizing of odor and noxious waste gases in the environment. However, biotechnology’s potential and application need to be recognized and commercialized. This chapter aims to provide extensive information related to the application of biotechnology in environmental protection, since biotechnology and bioprocessing can offer new insights related to the quest for environmental protection.
