Enlist the differences between biodegradation and bioremediation.
Biodegradation primarily deals with environment-friendly waste recycling and the manufacture of biodegradable products. It is an avenue in the field of environmental biotechnology that helps in recycling waste using biotechnology.
Bioremediation, on the other hand, focuses on environmental restoration using microorganisms to reduce toxicities caused by chemical pollutants, including heavy metals like As, Cr, Hg, Cd, and Zn in soil or water. It involves treatment technologies such as solid-phase biotreatment, slurry-phase treatment, and in situ treatment for contaminated soils and groundwater.
Thus, biodegradation is related to waste recycling and biodegradable products, whereas bioremediation is about treating contaminated sites and reducing pollution through microorganisms and plants.
Explanation
The context clearly distinguishes between biodegradation and bioremediation. Biodegradation is associated with waste recycling and manufacturing biodegradable products (prevention aspect). Bioremediation deals with environmental restoration, treating contaminated soils and groundwater, and reducing toxicities from chemical pollutants and heavy metals using microorganisms and plants. The answer is structured to highlight these key differences while staying within the 80-120 word limit appropriate for a 3-mark question.