Synergistic Applications of Microbial Biocatalysis and Nuclear Technologies in Marine Pollution Management
摘要
Marine ecosystems face mounting pressure from pollutants such as industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, plastics, and oil spills. These pollutants build up in ecosystems over time and become stronger as they move up the food chain. Detection and monitoring are the main challenges in marine pollution management. Conventional cleanup strategies like filtration, biodegradation, chemical treatments, recycling are not effective. Traditional pollution detection and monitoring in ecosystems are often slow, costly, and inaccurate due to their reliance on on-site labor, single sensors, and manual data validation. Nuclear techniques strengthen these processes by enabling precise detection and monitoring. Isotopic labeling, radiometric assays, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy provide detailed spatial and temporal profiles of contaminant dynamics, allowing refinement of bioremediation strategies. Microorganisms employ enzymatic pathways including hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, and dehalogenation to convert pollutants into less harmful intermediates. The integration of microbial bioremediation with nuclear techniques offers an effective approach to addressing hydrocarbon and radioactive contamination. This method utilizes microbial processes to degrade pollutants while employing nuclear tools to enhance monitoring and control. Studies involving radiolabeled substrates and isotopic fractionation shed light on microbial degradation pathways, aiding in the enhancement of bioprocesses. Regulatory and technical challenges persist; the convergence of microbial and nuclear technologies offers a scalable framework for addressing complex marine pollutants. This chapter presents an integrated strategy combining microbial biocatalysis and nuclear technologies to mitigate human impacts and support long-term ocean preservation.