Green remediation and recovery of contaminants using biosurfactants

由于补救的目标是恢复环境，因此污染的补救或处理应尽可能具有可持续性。有一些关于场地补救的准则，以减少补救过程的环境足迹。必须考虑环境、社会和经济这三个方面。可持续性的核心要素包括最大限度地减少空气排放、利益攸关方的参与、高效和经济的清洁、最大限度地减少能源使用、改善人类环境、减少土地和生态系统影响、最大限度地减少材料和废物以及水的影响以及利益攸关方的参与。泵和处理方法的潜在解决方案可能涉及使用生物基产品，如生物表面活性剂，而不是石油基产品。Mulligan（2014）已经表明，可生物降解的无毒产品称为生物表面活性剂（例如，鼠李糖脂和槐糖脂）可以从废料中产生，并且可以用于土壤冲洗或洗涤金属和有机污染物，或者用于增强有机污染物的生物降解。生物表面活性剂具有毒性低、可生物降解性好、适用性广、生产成本低、临界胶束浓度（CMC）低、对金属的亲和性强等优点，在污染土壤和水体的修复中具有广阔的应用前景。研究表明，为了有效地应用生物表面活性剂，应根据污染物的特性和性质、处理能力、成本、法规要求和时间限制来选择生物表面活性剂。此外，了解生物表面活性剂和污染物之间的相互作用机制可以帮助选择适当的生物表面活性剂进行可持续的修复。因此，研究的目标将是开发和应用生物表面活性剂进行修复，作为一种潜在的更可持续的选择，在整个生命周期将是可以实现的。第一步是通过原位生产生物表面活性剂。大多数研究涉及鼠李糖脂。其他生物表面活性剂和工艺放大需要进一步研究。下一步是补救过程本身。将确定衡量补救可持续性的指标。最大限度地减少能源、水的使用和温室气体排放将是将使用的一些指标。将优化补救过程中材料的回收利用。这包括例如通过胶束增强超滤从废水中回收生物表面活性剂、纳米材料、有机和金属污染物。土壤质量将在补救后进行评估，以确保毒性的降低和过程的可持续性。这项研究将导致对受污染的土壤、沉积物和废物采取更可持续的补救办法，并培训具有重要属性的高素质人员。

As the goal of remediation is restoration of the environment, the remediation or treatment of the contamination should be as sustainable as possible. Some guidelines for site remediation exist to reduce the environmental footprint of the remediation process. All three aspects of environmental, social and economic must be considered. The core elements for sustainability include air emission minimization, stakeholder involvement, efficient and economic cleanup, and minimization of energy use, enhancing the human environment, reduction of land and ecosystem impacts, minimization of materials and wastes and water impact and inclusion of stakeholders. A potential solution for the pump and treatment method could involve the use of biobased products such as biological surfactants instead of petroleum-based ones. Mulligan (2014) has shown that biodegradable, non-toxic products called biosurfactants (eg., rhamnolipids and sophorolipids) can be produced from waste materials and can be employed for soil flushing or washing for metal and organic contaminants or for enhanced biodegradation of organic pollutants. Biosurfactant applications for remediation of contaminated soil and water are promising due to their low toxicity biodegradability, unlimited applicability and relative low production cost for sustainable remediation and critical micelle concentration (CMC) and high effectiveness in enhancing biodegradation and affinity for metals. Studies showed that for effective application of biosurfactants, they should be selected based on pollutant characteristics and properties, treatment capacity, costs, regulatory requirements, and time constraints. Moreover, understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between biosurfactants and contaminants can assist in selection of the appropriate biosurfactants for sustainable remediation. Therefore, the objectives of the research will be the development and application of biosurfactants for remediation as a potentially more sustainable option over the entire life will be can be achieved . The first step is through in situ production of biosurfactants. Most research has involved rhamnolipids. Other biosurfactants and process scale-up need further investigation. The next step is the remediation process itself. Indicators will be identified for measurement of the sustainability of the remediation. Minimization of energy, water use and greenhouse emissions will be some of the indicators to be used. Recycling of materials from the remediation process will be optimized. This includes for example recovery of biosurfactants, nanomaterials, organic and metal contaminants from the water effluents by Micelle Enhanced Ultrafiltration. Soil quality will be evaluated after remediation to ensure reduction in toxicity and process sustainability. The research will lead to a more sustainable remediation process for contaminated soils, sediments and wastes and training of highly qualified personnel with significant attributes.