Reviving the Environment:
Bioremediation Techniques and
Prospects
CONCEPTS, ADVANTAGES, LIMITATIONS AND PROSPECTS
GROUP TWO(2)
INTRODUCTION
Bioremediation was first discovered around 600 BC by the Romans. Although their
versions of the process aren't as developed as today's, it was the first bioremediation
process recorded.
Environmental pollution has been on the rise in the past few decades due to increased
human activities.
Bioremediation is a process where biological organisms are used to remove or neutralize
an environmental pollutant by metabolic process
Biological organisms include
Fungi, bacteria and algae.
INTRODUCTION
Examples of the biological organism include:
Achromobacter, Arthrobacter, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas,
Flavobacterium, Mycobacterium, Nitrosomonas, Xanthobacter
The effectiveness of bioremediation depends on many factors; including, the chemical
nature and concentration of pollutants, the physicochemical characteristics of the
environment, and their accessibility to existing microorganisms, pH, temperature, oxygen
and nutrients.
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION
Biopling, Windows, Land Farming, Bioreactor, Bioventing, Bioslurping, Biosparaging,
Phytoremidiation, Pearmeable Reactive Barrier.
Environmentally friendly and cost effective are among the major advantages of
bioremediation c
MICROORGANISMS
1. Role of Microorganisms in Bioremediation
2. Microbial Consortium
3. Types of Microbes Used in Bioremediation
- Aerobic Bacteria -Anaerobic Bacteria
FACTORS
1. Factors Affecting Microbial Bioremediation
- Biotic Factors - Abiotic Factors
2. Environmental Conditions
IN-SITU BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES
It is the application of an onsite biological treatment of contaminated soil and
groundwater to eliminate lethal compounds present in the environment
This is done without excavating the soil or without pumping and treating
groundwater above soil.
It relies on the use of microbes or plants to degrade or immobilize contaminants in
situ
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION: IN-SITU
Types of in situ
1. Intrinsic Bioremediation
2. Engineered Bioremediation .
Bioventing.
Biosparging.
Bioslurping.
Phytoremediation.
Permeable reactive barrier
EX-SITU BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES
Involves digging pollutants from polluted sites and transporting them to
another site for treatment. This method is used depending on the following
factors;
depth and degree of pollution
type of pollutant
geographic location of the polluted site
There are two types of ex-situ bioremediation treatments
Solid phase treatment
Slurry-phase treatment
BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES: EX-SITU
i. Solid-phase treatment
Contaminated soil is excavated and piled into heaps
Bacteria is moved through pipes distributed throughout the heaps/piles
For ventilation and microbial respiration in the heaps, air pulling is necessary
Requires more space and involves soil sediments
Time-consuming as compared to slurry-phase processes.
Includes biopiles, windows, land farming, composting, and biofilter
ii. Slurry phase treatment
Includes the use of a bioreactor to degrade pollutants in the soil
Contaminated soil is mixed with water, nutrients, and oxygen
Soil sediments and stones are removed and it is a more rapid procedure
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION: EX-SITU
Biopiling
Includes above-ground piling of contaminated soil which is treated with controlled aeration, nutrients,
and irrigation.
Applicable to various pollutants, including low molecular weight volatiles and pollutants in cold
environments.
Requires robust engineering and operation, faces limitations in remote areas without power supply,
and risks over-drying and volatilization with excessive heating.
Windrows
Turning polluted soil in windrows improves aeration, nutrients, and microbial activity for faster
hydrocarbon biodegradation than biopiles.
Not suitable for volatile pollutants due to potential release during turning and greenhouse gas
emissions from anaerobic zones.
Windrows work for hydrocarbons, but not for volatile compounds.
TYPES OF BIOREMEDIATION: EX-SITU
Land Farming
It is affordable and requires minimal equipment.
Can be used for both ex-situ (off-site) and in-situ (on-site) treatment, depending on the depth and
type of pollutant.
Here, autochthonous microbes degrade pollutants in the excavated soil, leading to large-scale eco-
friendly remediation.
Bioreactor
Offer precise control over crucial parameters like pH, temperature, and agitation significantly
accelerating biodegradation.
Provides a controlled environment that optimizes biological reactions by minimizing undesirable
abiotic losses.
Customized treatment targets specific pollutants for efficient remediation of contaminated samples.
BIOREMEDIATION PROSPECTS
Bioremediation holds promising prospects for environmental cleanup and restoration due to
its eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. Here are some key prospects of bioremediation:
Versatility
Environmental Friendliness
Cost-Effectiveness
Applicability to Various Environments
Research and Innovation
Regulatory Support
BIOREMEDIATION APPLICATION AND
ADVANTAGES
APPLICATION
Bioremediation must be considered as appropriate methods that can applied to all states
of matter in the environment
i. Solids (soils, sediment and sludge)
ii. Liquids (ground water, surface water and industrial waste water)
BIOREMEDIATION APPLICATION AND
ADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
It is a natural process
It requires less effort and can be carried out on-site
It does not use any dangerous chemicals
It is cost effective as compared to other method of waste management.
BIOREMEDIATION DISADVANTAGES AND
LIMITATIONS
LIMITATION
Bioremediation is limited to those compounds that are biodegradable.
This method is susceptible to rapid and complete degradation.
Products of biodegradation may be more persistent or toxic than the parent compound
in the environment
BIOREMEDIATION DISADVANTAGES AND
LIMITATIONS
DISADVANTAGE
It has a restriction for biodegradable compound
The new products of the biodegradation may be more toxic than the parent products
Research is required for the development of biodegradation technology for certain
sites.
It is a bit of a challenge to move it from the bench to actual fieldwork.
