UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 75 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Oilzapper Bioremediation

Recently, “oilzapper” was in the news. What is it?

It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
It is the latest technology developed for under-sea oil exploration
It is a genetically engineered high biofuel-yielding maize variety
It is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused flames from oil wells

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Answer: A. It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills

Correct Answer: It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills

Oilzapper is an indigenous bioremediation technology used to clean oil-contaminated soil, oily sludge and oil spills.

1. Eco-friendly technology for remediation of oily sludge and oil spills — Correct

Oilzapper uses naturally occurring bacteria to break down hydrocarbons present in crude oil and oily sludge.

These bacteria convert harmful oil pollutants into simpler and less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water.

2. It is a chemical dispersant used in oil spills — Incorrect

Oilzapper is not mainly a chemical dispersant.

It is a biological treatment method based on microorganisms, so it is an example of bioremediation.

3. It is a mechanical device for removing oil — Incorrect

Oilzapper is not a machine or mechanical equipment.

It works through oil-degrading bacteria that consume hydrocarbon pollutants.

4. It is a fuel additive — Incorrect

Oilzapper is not used to improve fuel quality or engine performance.

Its purpose is environmental cleanup of oil-contaminated sites.

* Oilzapper was developed by TERI with support from the Department of Biotechnology.

* It contains a mixture of five types of oil-degrading bacteria.

* These bacteria are usually packed with a carrier material such as powdered corncob.

* It is used for treating oily sludge from refineries and oil-contaminated soil.

* It has been used in oil spill and contaminated land remediation in India.

* Oilivorous-S is a related bioremediation technology developed for degrading a wider range of hydrocarbons.

Oilzapper is an eco-friendly bioremediation technology that uses bacteria to clean oily sludge and oil spills.

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