BIOREMEDIATIO

Bioremediation
The use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms, to degrade the
environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.
Uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi or plants to degrade or detoxify
substances hazardous to human health and/or the environment.

A better approach than traditional methods to completely destroy the

pollutants or at least to transform them to innocuous substances.

Technologies that have been used are:

1.High-temperature incineration, 2.Dechlorination, and 3.UV oxidation
Drawbacks:
1.Technological complexity, 2.Cost for small-scale application and 3.Lack of
public acceptance

Principles of Bioremediation
Result of enzymatic action of multiple micro organisms
Bioaugmentation involved
Contaminants like chlorinated organic, aromatic hydrocarbons resistant to
microbial attack, degraded slowly or not at all
More economical than traditional methods
Rates of clean up vary for each environment
Mostly degraded aerobically than anaerobically

Factors of Bioremediation

FACTORS
the
existence of
a microbial

The control and optimization of bioremediation processes is a complex system of many

factors.

Microbial Populations for Bioremediation

Processes
GROUPS

FUNCTIONS

AEROBIC

Degrades pesticides and hydrocarbons

Pseudomonads,
Uses contaminants as source of energy & Alcaligenes,
carbon
Mycobacterium

ANAEROBIC

Degrades polychlorinated biphenyls in

river sediments
Dechlorination of trichloroethylene

LIGNINOLYTIC
FUNGI

Degrades extremely diverse range of

Phanaerochaete
toxic environmental pollutants
chrysosporium
Substrates: straw, saw dust, or corn cobs

METHYLOTROPHS Methane monooxygenase degrades

chlorinated aliphatics TCE and 1,2dichloroethane

EXAMPLES

Anaerobes are not

used frequently

Methylococcus,
Methylomonas

Environmental Requirements
The following factors have to be maintained if bioremediation has to be
carried out successfully. Microbial growth & activity are affected by :
1. pH: If the soil has too much acid lime needs to be added.
2. Temperature: High temperatures can kill the cells.
3. Moisture: Water is essential for all organisms so moisture has to be
maintained.
4. Oxygen content: The amount of oxygen is to be properly maintained
incase of aerobic and aerobic microorganisms.
5. Nutrient content: Nitrogen and Phosphorus are needed for microbial
growth.

Contaminants for Bioremediation

Class of Contaminants Examples

Potential sources

Chlorinated solvents

TCE

Drycleaners

PCBs

4-Chlorobiphenyl

Power station

Chlorinated phenol

Pentachlorophenol

Landfills

BTEX

Benzene

Oil production

PAHs

Naphthalene

Gas work sites

Pesticides

Atrazine

Agriculture

Bioremediation Strategies
In situ bioremediation
When the contaminated site is
treated exactly at the place
where it occurred
Two types: 1.Intrinsic, and
2.Engineered
Advantages: a)Most cost
efficient, b)Noninvasive,
c)Relatively passive, d)Treats
soil & water

Ex situ bioremediation
Removal and collection of waste
at a place for treatment
Two types: 1.Slurry phase and
2.Solid phase
Advantages: a)Relatively shorter
treatment time, b)Greater ease
of process optimization, c)Used
when the site is threatened

In situ Bioremediation
Intrinsic in situ bioremediation
- Uses microorganisms which are already present in the site
and requires no human involvement
Engineered in situ bioremediation
- Involves introduction of several types of microorganisms,
nutrients or oxygen to accelerate the
degradation process
- Bioventing: Supplying air and nutrients through wells to
stimulate indigenous bacteria
- Bioaugmentation: Addition of microorganisms indigenous or
exogenous to the contaminated areas
- Biosparging: Injection of air under pressure below water
table to increase O2 concentration to enhance the rate of
naturally occurring bacteria
Limitations:
a)Environmental constraints, b)Extended treatment time,
c)Monitoring difficulties

Ex situ Bioremediation
Solid phase
1. Landfarming: Contaminated soil is excavated and spread over a
prepared bed and periodically tilled until pollutants are degraded
2. Composing: Combining contaminated soil with nonhazardous organic
amendants such as manure

. Slurry phase
1. Bioreactors: Used for treatment of contaminated soil and water.
Greater extent and rate due to presence of controlled environment.

. Limitations:
a)Space requirements, b)Mass transfer problem, c)Relatively high
cost

Advantages of Bioremediation
Natural process
Complete destruction of target
pollutant
Less expensive
Can be carried out on site

Disadvantages of Bioremediation
Limited to compounds that are
biodegradable
Research is needed to develop and
engineer the technology
Takes a longer time

Phytoremediatio
n

THANK YOU