UPSC Prelims 2011 Q65: Science & Technology – Biotechnology & Genetics
Recently, ‘oilzapper’ was in the news. What is it?
- (a) It is an eco - friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
- (b) It is the latest technology developed for under sea oil exploration
- (c) It is a genetically engineered high biofuel yielding maize variety
- (d) It is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused fires in oil wells
Answer: (a) It is an eco - friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
Explanation
What "oilzapper" is
Oilzapper is an Indian bioremediation innovation for dealing with petroleum-related environmental damage.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Eco-friendly technology for remediation of oily sludge/oil spills | Correct | Oilzapper is a bacterial consortium-based bioremediation technology, developed by TERI, that breaks down oily sludge and oil spill contamination |
| (b) Latest undersea oil exploration technology | Incorrect | Oilzapper is about cleanup, not exploration |
| (c) Genetically engineered high-biofuel maize variety | Incorrect | This describes an agricultural biotech product, unrelated to oilzapper |
| (d) Technology to control oil well fires | Incorrect | Oilzapper does not deal with fire suppression; it targets oil contamination remediation |
Oilzapper facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) |
| Mechanism | Bacterial consortium that degrades hydrocarbons |
| Use | Cleaning oily sludge and oil spills |
Answer: (a) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Oilzapper is a bioremediation technology using bacteria to clean up oily sludge and oil spills.
- (b) Incorrect. It is not an exploration technology; it is a cleanup/remediation tool.
- (c) Incorrect. This describes a different biotech product (biofuel maize), unrelated to oilzapper.
- (d) Incorrect. Oilzapper does not control fires; it degrades existing oil contamination.
Key point
Oilzapper: TERI's bacterial-consortium bioremediation technology for cleaning up oily sludge and oil spills — not an exploration, fire-control, or crop-biotech product.
Remember
Oilzapper: TERI's bacterial bioremediation technology for oily sludge and oil-spill cleanup.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a cleanup/remediation technology with exploration or fire-control tools.
- Not knowing TERI as the developer of this well-known Indian bioremediation innovation.
- Mixing up oilzapper with unrelated agricultural biotech products.
Exam tip
'Oilzapper' = bacteria-based bioremediation for oil spills/sludge, developed by TERI. A recurring exam fact.
Sources
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) — Biotechnology and Bioresources Division: bioremediation of oil sludge (Oilzapper)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — bioremediation