Modelling Efficiency
Guiding wet lab research with predictions about the efficacy of our bacterium.
A Model Model
ARGUS-2440:
Mitigating nitrate
leaching in soil
with engineered Pseudomonas putida KT2440
A Hidden Threat to Our Water: Nitrate Leaching
Nitrogen fertilizers are essential for modern agriculture, but up to 50% is lost as nitrate, washing away from roots and into water bodies. This contamination threatens ecosystems and human health, all while depleting nitrogen content from the soil.
0%
lakes in Bangalore were sewage fed in 2009.
0%
of Bangalore's lakes are severely polluted.
0%
level of dissolved oxygen compared to recommended value.
Nitrate Concentration in Groundwater (mg/L)
Average (India)
0 mg/L
Permissible Limit
0 mg/L
Murky Waters In The City Of Lakes
Bangalore has seen extensive eutrophication – i.e., the growth of uncontrolled cyanobacterial algal blooms on the surface of its lakes, for many years now. These toxin-producing species create anoxic dead zones, limit oxygen and light penetration, and make the freshwater source unfit for use.
A 2016 report by Dr T V Ramachandra from the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) at IISc describes the dire state of Sankey Tank, a water body right beside campus. He attributes the lake’s heavy eutrophication to excessive nutrient and organic inputs from anthropogenic activities.
"In Bangalore, 90% of eutrophication-causing nitrate is fed into lakes via sewage. This is not exactly the case in rural areas."
A Double-Edged Sword
So, what about the rest of India?
To understand this, we spoke to Dr Priyanka Jamwal, senior researcher at ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment).
She revealed that the highest nitrate levels in groundwater are in rural areas, and are associated with prevalent fertilizer use. The problem went deeper than surface water pollution, with the nitrate invading groundwater and causing disease. Furthermore, environmental degradation was not the only major issue.
"Farming-dependent villages suffer economic losses by having to use more fertilizers than necessary, as a large part of the nitrogen gets washed away and only a small quantity is absorbed by plants."
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of rural india relies on ground-water for drinking.
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higher risk of methemoglobinemia in children who drink water with high nitrate levels.
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of children in the Indo-Gangetic plains are at health risk due to nitrate exposure.
To quantitatively analyze the state of nitrate leaching over the years, we plotted the nitrate levels in groundwater data collected by Prof Sekhar Muddu and his team of researchers at IISc from the wells in Berambadi village.
With around 46% of the Indian population engaged in agriculture, and 47% of India’s landmass under cultivation, an immediate solution was paramount.
A Comprehensive Solution to Nitrate Leaching
ARGUS-2440: Ammonium Rhizospheric Generation Using Soil Bacteria
To engineer Pseudomonas putida KT2440, which forms beneficial biofilms around plant roots, to convert excess nitrates to ammonium in the soil. This allows it to:
- Improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce usage.
- Form a bacterial biofilm around roots and confer disease and drought resistance.
- Treat irrigation runoff and reuse for fertilizer production.
Dive Deeper into Our Project
Visualising Eutrophication
An interactive animation that demonstrates how we remedy excess nitrates.
Interact with our Animation
The IHP Spiderweb
A useful methodology to guide comprehensive human practices efforts.
Spin the Web
Team
A dynamic group of lab rats, computer nerds and practising humans.
Meet the Team
Building Blocks
An overview of the Biobricks we characterised and used to engineer our bacterium.
Explore Our Parts
Targeting Sustainability
A comprehensive overview of how our project lives up to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Not Just A BuzzwordReferences
- Ramachandra, T V & Aithal, Dr. Bharath. (2016). "Decaying lakes of Bengaluru and today’s irrational decision makers". http://m.bfirst.in/news/2016_10_24/14766. 2016. 14766.
- Lake Health Index. https://www.bengalurusustainabilityforum.org/. 2024
- Akinnawo, Solomon. “Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, Physical, Chemical and Biological Techniques for Mitigation Strategies.” Environmental Challenges, vol. 12, no. 2667-0100, 1 May 2023, pp. 100733–100733, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010023000574.
- Md. Moniruzzaman Monir, and Subaran Chandra Sarker. “Analyzing Post-2000 Groundwater Level and Rainfall Changes in Rajasthan, India, Using Well Observations and GRACE Data.” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 2, 1 Jan. 2024, pp. e24481–e24481, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24481.
- Ward, Mary H et al. “Drinking Water Nitrate and Human Health: An Updated Review.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 15,7 1557. 23 Jul. 2018, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071557.