.png)
Pollution’s impact on the natural ecosystems is bad news for everyone and although there are many ways to deal with this issue, nature has its own fighters. Despite the use of physical and chemical remediation methods for years, their shortcomings and challenges have led to the popularity of bioremediation as an alternative. Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms, plants, or enzymes to clean up contaminated environments. It’s our planet’s very own way of cleaning the environment naturally. Micro-organisms reduce pollution through the biological degradation of pollutants into non-toxic substances. Microbes are frequently used due to their speedy growth and ease of manipulation, which enhances their role as agents of bioremediation. Innovative research has also broadened the scope of bioremediation by further looking into the use of genetically engineered microorganisms and consortia of microbes to enhance
Bioremediation was developed by a petroleum engineer named George M. Robison in the 1960’s. He performed multiple experiments with microbes placed in glass jars that contained pollutants. He used different types of bacteria and found that certain types of bacteria were effective at breaking down the pollutants. His findings were shared with the scientific community. The process improved overtime, and today bioremediation is one of the most effective methods of removing pollutants.
How does bioremediation work
Bioremediation relies on stimulating the growth of certain microbes that utilize contaminants including oil, solvents, and pesticides for sources of food and energy. In addition to converting contaminants into water and harmless gases, these microbes produce carbon dioxide. A combination of the right temperature, nutrients, and foods is required for bioremediation. Clean-up can be delayed if these factors are absent. Bioremediation can be done "in situ," at the site of the contamination, or "ex situ," at a location away from the site. When the soil is too dense to distribute nutrients evenly or the climate is too cold, ex situ bioremediation may be necessary. The bioremediation process can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete depending on variables such as the size of the contaminated area
Oxygen has a strong effect on bioremediation. Some microbes thrive on oxygen while others are hindered when exposed to excessive oxygen. The aerobic process presents the oxygen needed for microbial development while the anaerobic process removes or reduces the oxygen level in water or soil.
There are three types of bioremediation in general:
Biostimulation: Microbes are stimulated to begin the remediation process via chemicals such as phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon. or nutrients that activate them.
Bioaugmentation: This is used mainly to clean up soil contamination. The process adds bacteria culture and archaea and to the surface of the affected area where they are then allowed to grow. Bioaugmentation is commonly used in municipal wastewater treatment to restart activated sludge bioreactors
Intrinsic Bioremediation: This converts toxic materials into inert materials by using the native microbiome on the affected area. There is no human intervention and its also the cheapest form of bioremediation.
Applications of Bioremediation
Common uses for bioremediation intervention include the following site types
Petroleum stations: The underground tanks in petroleum stations can corrode, allowing gasoline and diesel fuel to leach into the ground and remain long after the station’s service life expires. Petroleum products are particularly receptive to bioremediation.
Industrial sites: Some industrial sites use chemicals in production, and these chemicals can spill or discharge. Heavy metals like lead and chromium are tough to remediate, but many lesser pollutants are biologically neutralized.
Landfills: Overfilled, leached or decommissioned landfills are well-suited to bioremediation. Methane gas is a common landfill byproduct, but it can be controlled through air stripping and scrubbing.
Farms: Over-fertilizing frequently occurs on farms, making them excellent candidates for bioremediation. Over-fertilization includes chemical fertilizers and animal waste products.
Accidental chemical spills: Chemical spills alongside transportation routes have been remediated through biological treatment. This includes petroleum discharges and even road salts
Benefits of Bioremediation
Nature can repair itself through the bioremediation process, which is assisted by experienced people and specialized equipment. As it’s a primarily natural process, it is the least invasive and safest groundwater and soil cleaning method with little to no damaging side effects. Bioremediation can effectively clean contaminants such Arsenic, Nitrate, Metals from groundwater and soil. The bioremediation process requires minimal equipment. It is a cost-effective method as implementing the bioremediation process is an economical solution, and it has little maintenance needs. It consumes less energy compared to landfilling and incineration.
Conclusion
A promising and sustainable solution to one of humanity's greatest challenges is bioremediation. A cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional cleanup methods, it utilizes microorganisms, plants, and enzymes. By reclaiming oil spills, managing industrial waste, and remediating groundwater, bioremediation has demonstrated its ability to restore ecosystems and mitigate human-induced damage.
To make bioremediation a cornerstone of environmental restoration efforts, scientists, governments, and industries must collaborate. In order to achieve a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future, bioremediation must be adopted. Further research in this area is also encouraged in benefit for mankind
Watch this video to gain an in depth understanding of Bioremediation https://youtu.be/pZLuemYyRZ0?si=VJSNyARKlMtlcA-6
Citations
Ayilara, M.S. and Babalola, O.O. (2023). Bioremediation of environmental wastes: the role of microorganisms. Frontiers in Agronomy, [online] 5. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1183691.
Mitchell, C. (2024). What Is Bioremediation and How Does It Work? [online] Investopedia. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bioremediation.asp [Accessed 22 Jan. 2025].
ScienceDirect. (2025). ScienceDirect Topics in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology [Accessed 22 Jan. 2025].
spilltech (2024). History of Bioremediation. [online] Spill Tech. Available at: https://spilltech.ie/history-of-bioremediation/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2025].
Waste2Water (2017). ESD Waste2Water, Inc. [online] ESD Waste2Water. Available at: https://www.waste2water.com/bioremediation-benefits-and-uses/#examples [Accessed 22 Jan. 2025].
Comments