Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

can mosses be used in bioremediation?
is there a possibility?

Hi Venus,
Could you please explain how this relates to your science fair project?
Thanks,
Chris

I'm not quite sure if mosses can be used in bioremediation, but if your topic is bioremediation you would be best served using living organisms such as protists and fungi. However, if you want to do a project on moss, I would NOT go into bioremediation because it is very hard to relate the two. I think I could helpy you more if I knew what direction you were going in with your project.

I think that there is a possibility that moss can be used for bioremediation. However, I can't find any concrete evidence in the form of an article or information to back that up.

"Bioremediation

Compost may be used in the remediation or neutralization of soil and water contaminants like gasoline, diesel fuel, transformer oil, and other toxic or hazardous materials. Contaminants may be treated in situ or transported to a treatment facility where contaminated soil and/or water is blended with compost. Ideally, the compost has been prepared especially for bioremediation of the target compound.
For spill response, compost is used as an absorbent to contain and collect liquids prior to transport to a remediation facility."

-wikipedia

Hope it helps!