UG-ENVS-H-CC-11: Bioremediation
University of Kalyani
Study guide, definitions & notes
Bioremediation:
Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, or algae are used in the bioremediation process to
break down or eliminate contaminants from contaminated settings. Bioremediation aims
to lessen or completely eradicate the negative impacts of pollutants on the environment
and public health.
Characteristics:
Natural method: The decomposition and transformation of organic and inorganic
contaminants by microorganisms and plants is used in the natural method known
as bioremediation.
Targeted: Because bioremediation may be targeted to address certain toxins,
contaminated sites can be cleaned up quickly and thoroughly.
Environmentally friendly: Bioremediation is a method that is safe for the
environment because it doesn't employ dangerous chemicals or generate
hazardous waste.
Cost-effectiveness: Compared to more conventional cleanup techniques like
excavation and disposal, bioremediation is frequently more economical.
Non-destructive: Bioremediation is a procedure that can be carried out on-site
without causing significant site disturbance.
Sustainable: Bioremediation encourages the restoration of the world's natural
ecological systems.
Weather-related: Environmental variables like temperature, moisture, and
nutrient availability affect bioremediation.
Site characterisation is necessary for bioremediation, which can be time-
consuming and expensive. Site parameters include soil type, moisture content,
pH, and temperature.
Some bioremediation treatments could need continuing upkeep, including the
supply of nutrients, to maintain microbial activity and guarantee long-term
cleanup.
Wide range of contaminants can be treated by bioremediation, including heavy
metals, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, and petroleum hydrocarbons.
Types of Bioremediation:
Bioremediation
In-situ Bioremediation
Bioventing
Pressure Bioventing
Vacuum-enhanced Bioventing
Biosparging
Anaerobic Bioremediation
Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination (ERD)
Bioaugmentation of Anaerobic Microorganisms
Permeable Reactive Barriers
Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI)
Barriers Bioactive Barriers
Ex-situ Bioremediation
Composting
Windrow Composting
In-vessel Composting
Landfarming
Bioreactors
Aerobic Bioreactors
Anaerobic Bioreactors
o In-situ Bioremediation:
The biological removal of toxins from the subsurface, most frequently from
groundwater, is known as in situ bioremediation (ISB). ISB develops a
coherent strategy for the planned and controlled microbial decomposition
of particular classes of organic materials by combining knowledge from
the fields of microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology, and engineering.
Bioventing
The practise of "bioventing" involves adding air to contaminated soil
or groundwater to encourage the development of aerobic bacteria
that break down pollutants.
1. Pressure Bioventing: This procedure is used to increase
oxygen diffusion and boost microbial activity in contaminated
soil or groundwater by applying positive pressure to the
area.
2. Vacuum-Enhanced Bioventing: This procedure boosts
microbial activity by increasing airflow by applying negative
pressure to contaminated soil or groundwater.
Biosparging
In order to promote the growth of aerobic microorganisms that
break down pollutants, the method known as "biosparging" involves
infusing air or oxygen into contaminated groundwater.
Aerobic Bioremediation
Anaerobic microorganisms are used in in situ anaerobic
bioremediation to degrade pollutants without the presence of
oxygen.
1. Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination (ERD): In order to
encourage the growth of anaerobic microbes that may break
down chlorinated solvents into innocuous chemicals, a
procedure known as enhanced reductive dechlorination
(ERD) is used at the polluted site.
2. Anaerobic Microbe Bioaugmentation: This technique
involves introducing particular anaerobic bacteria to a
contaminated site in order to speed up the breakdown of
pollutants.
Permeable Reactive Barrier
This technique involves embedding a reactive substance beneath
the earth so that impurities are washed away as groundwater
passes through it.
1. Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) Barriers: Installing a barrier
made of iron filings to filter out contaminants including
heavy metals and chlorinated solvents is known as
zero-valent iron (ZVI) technology.
2. Bioactive Barriers: This technique involves erecting
an organic carbon barrier to promote the development
of microorganisms that break down pollutants.
o Ex-situ Bioremediation
Ex-situ bioremediation is a biological procedure in which processed
excavated soil is placed in a lined above-ground treatment area and
aerated to improve the native microbial population's ability to degrade
organic pollutants.
Composting
To encourage the growth of microorganisms that degrade
pollutants, this procedure involves combining contaminated soil or
organic waste with organic amendments like wood chips, straw, or
sawdust.
1. Windrow Composting: In order to encourage
aerobic decomposition, the contaminated material is
piled up in long rows during windrow composting.
2. In-vessel Composting: This technique involves
treating contaminated waste in sealed containers
while regulating the temperature, moisture content,
and air flow to promote the best possible microbial
activity.
Landfarming
This procedure involves spreading contaminated soil over a treated
area that has been supplied with nutrients, moisture, and oxygen in
order to promote microbial activity.
Bioreactors
In order to maximise microbial activity, this procedure entails
treating contaminated water or soil in a controlled setting, like a
tank or reactor.
1. Aerobic Bioreactors: The method of treating
contaminated water or soil with aerobic
microorganisms in a controlled environment to speed
up deterioration is known as an aerobic bioreactor.
2. Anaerobic Bioreactors: This technique involves
treating contaminated water or soil in a controlled
setting with anaerobic microorganisms to speed up
deterioration.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
1. Cost-effectiveness: Compared to more conventional cleanup
techniques like excavation and disposal, bioremediation is
frequently more economical.
2. Environmentally friendly: Bioremediation is a natural process that
doesn't include the production of hazardous waste or the use of
dangerous chemicals.
3. Targets particular contaminants: By tailoring bioremediation to
particular chemicals, contaminated sites can be cleaned up quickly
and effectively.
4. Site disruption is kept to a minimum thanks to bioremediation,
which may be done on-site and negates the need for digging up or
transporting contaminated materials.
5. Sustainable: Bioremediation encourages the restoration of the
world's natural ecological systems.
Disadvantages:
1. A contaminated site may take weeks or months to be cleaned up
using bioremediation, especially if the chemicals are complicated or
extremely hazardous.
2. Site characterisation is necessary for bioremediation, which can be
time-consuming and expensive. Site parameters include soil type,
moisture content, pH, and temperature.
3. Weather-dependent: The best conditions, including temperature
and moisture, must be maintained for microbial activity during
bioremediation.
4. Not appropriate for all contaminants: For some toxins, such heavy
metals, bioremediation may not be as effective as other
remediation techniques.
5. Some bioremediation treatments could need continuing upkeep,
including the supply of nutrients, to maintain microbial activity and
guarantee long-term cleanup.
