Bio-augmentation - Effective Method of Treating Plastic Waste - A field Study

Abstract

Polythene waste is a serious threat to our environment. There are many methods available for its degradation. The present study shows light for eco friendly approach for mitigating the ecological problem of the century. By using bio-augmentation, microorganisms having specific metabolic capabilities are introduced into the contaminated site for enhancing the degradation of plastic waste. The field trials for a period of 3 months shows clearly that the LDPE sheets are better degraded with augmented microorganism (1.6%,4%,5.2%,8%,8.8%) than non bio augmented soil (4%,1.6%,2.8%3.6%4%). The ecological importance of this study is that we will be able to tackle plastic waste by adding bio-augmented strains in to an area or dumpyard filled in with plastic waste.

Keywords

• bio augmentation
• actinomycetes
• plastic waste
• degradation