Purchase Solution

Bioremediation

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

How does bioremediation restore stability or clean up toxic pollutants?
How does bioremediation control levels of pollution?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This solution looks at the process of bioremediation and explores both how and why it works.

Solution Preview

Bioremediation and its Environmental Benefits

Bioremediation refers to any natural process that is used to clean up harmful chemicals in the environment. Though bioremediation often refers to the use of microorganisms, it can also include phytoremediation (plants), bioventing, bioleaching, landfarming, composting, bioaugrmentation, rhizofiltration and more. In essence, any process in which natural means are used to convert a contaminant into a harmless compound can be considered bioremediation (Jayakrishnan & Dan, 2011).

The first bioremediation project took place in 1992 in Hanahan, South Carolina. In 1975, 80,000 gallons of kerosene-based jet fuel leaked from a military fuel storage facility and though most of the leak was contained, the sandy soil in the area allowed a good deal of the fuel to reach the underlying water table. The result was that ground water became contaminated with benzene and other high toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) implemented a new method in which microorganisms were given the nutrients they needed to consume the toxic compounds and turn them into carbon dioxide. ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
BioChemistry Basics

This Quiz will test your knowledge of the amino acids used in biological systems

Creating a Birth Plan

Preparing for a birth and want to make sure that you're including all the right information? Use this quiz to get on the right track and check your birth plan knowledge!

The Transfer of Energy in an Ecosystem

This quiz will assess your knowledge of how energy is transferred in an ecosystem and the different levels of trophic organization.

Basic Concepts in Neuroscience

This quiz provides a review of the basic concepts in neuroscience.

Cellular Respiration

This quiz is a review for cellular respiration.