COURSES

Course 1

Phytotechnologies for environmental cleanup

13 June 2021
08:00–16:00


Participation Fee:

  • 0 Euros (student)
  • 50 Euros (academic)
  • 100 Euros (professional)

Phytotechnologies are plant-based technologies for environmental cleanup to protect human health. Phytotechnologies extend ecosystem services, protection of catchment and watershed management, protection and preservation of mountain ecology and co-generation of economic phytoproducts is the scope of this area. It is an emerging technology that has the potential to treat a wide range of contaminants at a lower cost than traditional technologies. This technology uses various types of plants and plant products to degrade, extract, contain, or immobilize contaminants in all compartments of the environment such as soil, water and air.

Phytotechnologies are generally applied in situ, ex situ applications are possible (e.g., hydroponics systems). Typical organic contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, gas condensates, crude oil, chlorinated compounds, pesticides, and explosive compounds, can be addressed using plant-based methods. Phytotechnologies also can be applied to typical inorganic contaminants, such as trace elements and salts.

Phytotechnology deals with the application of science and engineering to examine environmental problems and provide solutions involving plants. The term itself is helpful in promoting a broader understanding of the importance of plants and their beneficial role within both societal and natural systems. A central component of this is the use of plants as living technologies that provide services in addressing environmental issues.

Phytotechnology provides numerous advantages for supporting sustainable water quality sanitation, and environmental conservation. Studies and application of phytotechnology for water sanitation and conservation are still limited in Asian countries. More efforts should be undertaken to explore scientific information and the use of this technology. Furthermore, some phytotechnology applications involving the use of plants for housing, food, forage and sources of medicine can create employment. This is particularly important in developing countries.


Instructor:

Majeti Narasimha Vara PRASAD

Majeti Narasimha Vara PRASAD

Emeritus Professor
School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad (An Institution of Eminence)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India


Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad is currently Emeritus Professor at School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad in India. He received his M.Sc. (Botany) from Andhra University (1973-75) and Ph.D. (Botany) from Lucknow University (1975-79) in India. He has published over 216 papers in scholarly journals and edited 34 books. Based on an independent study by Stanford University scientists in 2020, he figured in the top 2% of scientists from India, ranked number 1 in Environmental Sciences (116 in world). The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India awarded him the Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship of the year 2007. He is also recipient of Excellent Scholar Award by the XIX International Botanical Congress, July 2017 in Shenzhen, China.