Introduction

     Reference 1 provides a very good working definition for bioremediation, i.e. the term is applied to any system or process in which biological methods are used to transform or immobilize contaminants in soil or groundwater.

     The agents responsible for breaking down organic chemical contaminants can be bacteria, fungi and/or enzymes.  In order for these microorganisms to carry out their cycle, some livable environment conditions must be met, e.g. temperature, oxygen availability, pH.  Also nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, must be available.

     Because of this need of a proper context, there are several factors beyond pure biological processes.  These factors, which influence the effectiveness of bioremediation, are roughly grouped in three major categories, i.e.

• environmental factors, such as prevailing temperature, pH, nutrient availability, oxygen, moisture content, as they will establish or allow growth conditions
• physical factors, such as availability of contaminants or constituents to microorganisms (contaminants or constituents may be in places or "enclosed by some covering film" where microorganisms cannot reach), and proper supply of electron acceptors such as oxygen
• chemical factors such as molecular structure, biodegradability and solubility may all play an important part in determining the outcome of a given bioremediation approach.  For example, highly branched compounds, e.g. alkanes, may be difficult to degrade.  The greater or lesser biodegradability is influenced by the particular molecular structure as well as say solubility and degree of saturation.

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www.Biotowers.com - www.MembraneBioreactors.com - www.AnaerobicReactors.com - www.AnaerobicFilters.com 

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