Modern technology produces many organic substances that can not be degradation d and recycles in nature. These substances accumulate and pollute the environment. Scientists are trying to produce micro organisms that can degrade these pollutants.
Petroleum is an important pollutant that is degraded poorly in nature. Hydrocarbon feeding bacteria are used to clean up areas like harbours that become frequently polluted with petroleum. Oil containing waste water from ships is also purified by these bacteria before the water is discharged into the sea.
Scientists have produced petroleum digesting bacteria which are useful in getting rid of oil spills in the sea quickly.
