Microbial-Based Solutions to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts in Pakistan with Special Emphasis on Smog Formation

Abstract

A combination of climate change and extreme annual smog, a photochemical haze as a result of NOx oxides and volatile organic comp reacting to sunlight under conditions of temperature inversion is a critical twofold threat to Pakistan. Some of the severe health threats of this dangerous mix of ground-level ozone and particle matter are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. New, long-term solutions are needed since conventional mitigation methods have been found to be ineffective. This paper considers the massive potential of microbial-based solutions to alleviate smog formation and broader climatic consequences. The major smog precursors are directly degraded by special microorganisms: the industrial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be broken down effectively by bacterial and fungal consortia, and the NOx is reduced to non-toxic nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria (e.g. Pseudomonas and Para coccus) in bio filters. Methanotrophs in a developed bio cover oxidizes methane, a powerful greenhouse gas and ozone precursor- of landfills. Microbes also indirectly give systemic solutions by offering alternatives to the significant sources of emissions, such as microbial consortia that may rapidly decompose crop residues in situ instead of open burning which is a major source of smog. Moreover, bio fertilizers will decrease the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and thus decrease the related NOx emissions during their manufacturing and consumption. Although these biological tools are difficult to scale, and the environment is not always stable, the approach of incorporating the tools into national climate and air quality policies is an affordable multi-pronged intervention in Pakistan. With the potential to reduce smog and ensure a more resilient climate through microbial metabolism to intercept pollutants and promote sustainable processes, Pakistan can optimize both routes to cleaner air and a more sustainable climate.