Biological filters help reduce pollution

Researchers from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Bangladesh) have found a new way to filter emissions from the environmentally friendly fertilizer manufacturing industry: biofiltration.

A factory producing urea. (Photo: Internet)

Previously, the elimination of toxic emissions and the smell of amonic (urine odor) from the fertilizer industry is an expensive and energy-consuming process.

To overcome this, researchers at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology used Nitrosomonas europaea to combine cheap charcoal to create a biofilter. This bacterium uses ammonia as an energy source for metabolism, growth and reproduction, which absorbs ammonia and oxidizes them to nitric.

The team said the biofilter could operate at concentrations of 100-500mg / L of exhaust gas, removing amonic from the gas stream almost completely, at a rate of 93% for seven days.

According to Science Daily , the finding is important because it helps reduce pollution from fertilizer plants in developing countries.

Nitrosomonas europaea is often found in soil, sewage, fresh water and on buildings and monuments in contaminated cities.