Genetically Altered Grass Helps Fight Pollution

Researchers from the University of Washington and the University of York recently published their study on genetically altered grass in the Plant Biotechnology Journal. The purpose for this study was that the compound RDX, which makes up many military explosives, has been polluting military bases at a dangerous level. It has been listed as a human carcinogen and this is spreading much concern as the pollutant is easily spread through the air and through groundwater as it diffuses into the soil around the bases. The projected cost for a cleanup of this compound would be anywhere inbetween $16 million and $165 million dollars. However, researchers have isolated 2 genes from a bacteria that consumes RDX and have inserted them into species of grass (Switchgrass and Creeping bentgrass). The resulting grass has the ability to remove the harmful compound from the air and soil, and then degrade it so that its broken down components are not toxic. In the best test case, the grass was able to remove the toxic substance from the soil in less than two weeks time, leaving behind no traces in the air, soil, or in the plant itself. The grass is especially productive when it comes to removing RDX before it reaches groundwater, because then the toxic substance is more easily spreadable with the aid of the water cycle. 

Grass is a great plant to use for removing the toxin because it is very affordable and environmentally friendly. It grows quickly and requires little care and looking after. Furthermore, the RDX is partly beneficial to the grass because the grass uses it as a nitrogen source, promoting faster growth. Although the researchers detailed the difficulty that they had when it came to implanting the bacteria genes into the grass, this method is certainly beneficial for a multitude of reasons. Since it is cheap, sustainable, and fast acting, if scientists could figure out an easier way of producing the grasses, this method could be extremely useful. If used more, these grasses can be planted in various places and create healthier air and soil for us to use, lessening the risk of cancers and other illnesses. This idea is especially interesting because in further research, if scientists could figure out other genes from bacteria or animals that they can insert in plants, it is possible that they could select for other toxins. This method would be a lot less harmful and more cost effective than current methods of getting rid of pollution.


Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122182355.htm

Grass Species Removes Toxin

The cost of having an army or military is not just money wise but also environmental. The artillery shells that are fire for practice to better train our soldiers leave a trace of a toxic organic compound known as RDX. If enough of the compound is ingested, it can lead to organ damage, and seizures. The problem is not in the air a person breaths near the contamination but what is happening underground. When the shells are fired they drop to the ground where the soil absorbs the RDX. When it rains the compound is pushed further down into the earth where there are natural water reserves which get contaminated. The water then gets pump up for drinking purposes and people get ill.

Science have been able to modify a transgenic grass species to be able to absorb the RDX into its roots. The is just the begin. The plant is actually able to cover the RDX into nitrogen which makes the plant grow bigger but also gets rid of the complete trace of the RDX. "UW engineers introduced two genes from bacteria that learned to eat RDX and break it down into harmless components in two perennial grass species: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)"(Sciencedaily). Normal grass is able to absorb the toxin too but when it dies the toxin gets release back into the environment, it is not able to get rid of it. The grass species have not been approved by the USDA yet, since they need to make sure it will not start to take over or be harmful to the environment. If this grass species does get approved, does what it is supposed to, it can be planted and maintained with little cost which would help contaminated areas get cleaned up in a couple of weeks. One of the study done took a contaminated area less than two weeks to clean up. The speed this species is able to do it is amazing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122182355.htm