Research

The efficiency of air phytoremediation can be enhanced by using native and nonnative endophytic bacteria. The study investigated the involvement of plant stress hormones and plant physiology regulation in this process. Furthermore, the application of appropriate concentrations of exogenous hormones can also improve air phytoremediation. A pilot-scale experiment demonstrated that the plant-microbe interaction system effectively and rapidly reduced air pollution. The introduction of microorganisms led to the up-regulation of several enzymes that protected plants against stress. The study showed interest in exploring the benefits of microorganism inoculation for both phytoremediation and agriculture.

 Various pollutants possess distinct physical and chemical properties. For instance, benzene, which has low water solubility, can be adsorbed by hydrophobic wax consisting of long-chain fatty acids. Conversely, TMA, which is highly water-soluble, can be effectively adsorbed by hydrophilic wax containing short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, different biomaterials with varying structures are likely to exhibit different capacities for adsorbing different pollutants. The investigation into the use of biomaterials for VOC (volatile organic compound) absorption and adsorption proved to be intriguing. In a pilot-scale experiment, modified plant material and agricultural waste embedded with glucose syrup within the packing bead were developed and tested for VOC biofiltration. The objective was to reduce system pressure drop, enhance removal efficiency, and support bacterial growth without the need for external nutrient supply. The biofilter was deployed to eliminate benzene within a testing chamber.

Biomaterials and modified biomaterials offer potential for the removal of dyes from wastewater in textile and printing industries. Previous experiments have demonstrated their effectiveness in wastewater treatment. Building upon this research, a wastewater treatment system was developed and brought into commercial use. This system allows for the specific application of different materials based on the type of wastewater being treated.

The uptake and translocation of toxic compounds by rice plants can negatively impact the productivity and quality of rice grain production. In Thailand, this issue has a significant economic impact, resulting in a loss of approximately 7,800-14,000 tons per year. In a previous laboratory experiment conducted by Suksabye et al. (2015) and Treesubsuntorn et al. (2017a), the application of biochars and/or microorganisms proved effective in reducing the concentration of heavy metals in rice roots, shoots, and grains. Interestingly, treatments that exhibited lower toxic concentrations also showed significantly higher levels of other divalent cations, such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), among others, in rice roots, shoots, and grains. These elements potentially play a crucial role in regulating the uptake and translocation of heavy metals in rice, leading to lower concentrations of heavy metals in the shoots. Furthermore, a soil amendment containing high levels of divalent cations is being developed and applied in actual field conditions in Thailand.

Phytoremediation is a widely recognized eco-friendly technology with low operating costs for wastewater treatment. Plants have the ability to transform or break down pollutants, rendering them less toxic, and can store them in various parts, such as vacuoles, cell walls, and membranes. Different plant species can target and remove specific types of pollutants, with some plants even acting as hyperaccumulators, particularly for heavy metal-contaminated wastewater. However, traditional phytoremediation methods require large land areas and extended timeframes for effective treatment. To address these challenges, an artificial wetland system has been developed to enhance removal efficiency while operating within limited space. Recently, this system has been tested in a real-world contaminated site, showcasing its potential for practical application.

The combination of wetlands and soil microorganisms has been explored for dual purposes: wastewater treatment and electricity generation. The study focused on the plant-bacterium interaction, identifying plants that can enhance soil bacteria concentration and efficiently uptake nitrate and phosphate from wastewater. Utilizing this knowledge, a wetland-microbial fuel cell system was developed and tested at both laboratory and pilot scales. This system has the potential to support renewable energy generation while effectively treating wastewater.

Using plants to improve indoor air quality has been reported as an effective, eco-friendly and low operation cost method. Many plant species have shown high VOC and PM removal efficiency. In our laboratory, many plant species can effectively remove formaldehyde, benzene, trimethylamine.  The removal efficiency, pollutant uptake and transformation mechanism had been deeply investigated. In addition, the removal efficiency of air phytoremediation was enhanced by using engineering design for botanical biofilter. The system was tested in pilot scale experiment and applied in real contaminated site.