Summary
Using microbes to degrade or neutralise pollutants like oil spills and heavy metals.
In depth
Pseudomonas degrades hydrocarbons; Geobacter reduces uranium; fertiliser addition (biostimulation) accelerates natural degradation. After the Exxon Valdez spill, fertiliser was applied to beaches.
Intrinsic bioremediation uses natural microbes; bioaugmentation adds them. Conditions must support the microbes. Time and cost are advantages over excavation.
Example: microbes degrade petroleum hydrocarbons.
Approaches include in situ treatment (biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phytoremediation using plants) and ex situ (biopiles, bioreactors, composting). After the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, fertiliser sped up oil-degrading microbes on beaches. The Deepwater Horizon spill of 2010 showed rapid blooms of natural oil degraders in the Gulf. Pseudomonas putida degrades toluene and other aromatics, Dehalococcoides degrades chlorinated solvents, and some bacteria break down plastics such as PET (Ideonella sakaiensis).
Limits include slow rates, toxic mixtures, nutrient and oxygen supply, and metals, which cannot be destroyed, only changed to less mobile or toxic forms. Genetic engineering raises release concerns.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bioremediation?
Using microbes to degrade or neutralise pollutants like oil spills and heavy metals.
Which area of biology covers Bioremediation, and how advanced is it?
Bioremediation is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Horizontal Resistance Spread, Synthetic Microbiology.
Why does Bioremediation matter?
It offers lower-cost, less-disruptive clean-up than excavation.
Can you give an example of Bioremediation?
Oil-eating bacteria after the Deepwater Horizon spill.
What should I learn before Bioremediation?
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Bioremediation. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Bioremediation?
The closest topics to Bioremediation are Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Horizontal Resistance Spread, Synthetic Microbiology, Biofilms. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Bioremediation?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Bioremediation. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
How is Bioremediation different from Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria?
Bioremediation: Using microbes to degrade or neutralise pollutants like oil spills and heavy metals. Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria: Rhizobium and others convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for plants. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Bioremediation step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.