Aquatic zooremediation: deploying animals to remediate contaminated aquatic environments

S Gifford; R H Dunstan; Wayne A O'Connor; C E Koller; G R MacFarlane

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.12.002

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Aquatic zooremediation: deploying animals to remediate contaminated aquatic environments

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Aquatic zooremediation: deploying animals to remediate contaminated aquatic environments

S Gifford, R H Dunstan, Wayne A O'Connor, C E Koller and G R MacFarlane

Trends in Biotechnology, Vol.25(2), pp.60-65

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.12.002

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Abstract

biodiversity

ecosystems

health care

hydrocarbons

marine biology

nutrition

polychlorinated biphenyls

water pollution

microbial contaminants

phytoremediation

zooextraction

zooremediation

zootransformation

bioremediation

polychlorinated bipheny

The ability of animals to act in a bioremediative capacity is not widely known. Animals are rarely considered for bioremediation initiatives owing to ethical or human health concerns. Nonetheless, specific examples in the literature reveal that some animal species are effective remediators of heavy metals, microbial contaminants, hydrocarbons, nutrients and persistent organic pollutants, particularly in an aquatic environment. Recent examples include deploying pearl oysters to remove metals and nutrients from aquatic ecosystems and the harvest of fish to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the Baltic. It is probable that many animal taxa will possess attributes amenable to bioremediation. We introduce zoological equivalents of the definitions used in phytoremediation literature (zooextraction, zootransformation, zoostabilization and animal hyperaccumulation), to serve as useful benchmarks in the evaluation of candidate animal species for zooremediation initiatives, and propose that recognition of the concept of zooremediation would act to stimulate discussion and future research in this area. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Aquatic zooremediation: deploying animals to remediate contaminated aquatic environments
Authors: S Gifford (Author) - University of Newcastle
R H Dunstan (Author) - University of Newcastle
Wayne A O'Connor (Author) - Port Stephens Fisheries Centre
C E Koller (Author) - University of Newcastle
G R MacFarlane (Author) - University of Newcastle
Publication details: Trends in Biotechnology, Vol.25(2), pp.60-65
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.12.002
ISSN: 0167-7799
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450362702621
Output Type: Journal article

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