BioremediationBioremediation

By: Austin AndersonBy: Austin Anderson

Materials Science 3344Materials Science 3344

Fall 2006Fall 2006

What is BioRemediationWhat is BioRemediation

Bioremediation is a natural process Bioremediation is a natural process that uses microorganisms to that uses microorganisms to transform harmful substances into transform harmful substances into non-toxic carbon dioxide, water, and non-toxic carbon dioxide, water, and fatty acids. fatty acids.

Bioremediation microbes

Normal effective temperature range for these bioremediation microbes is between 50°F to 100°F.

Contaminants Contaminants

Chlorinated hydrocarbonsChlorinated hydrocarbons CreosoteCreosote Fuel oilFuel oil TolueneToluene PCBs PCBs

Benefits of BioRemediationBenefits of BioRemediation

Decrease in recovery time to weeks Decrease in recovery time to weeks rather than decades.rather than decades.

Process is significantly cheaper than Process is significantly cheaper than traditional means of cleanup.traditional means of cleanup.

What happens to the Micro- What happens to the Micro- OrganismsOrganisms

When the food source is depleted the When the food source is depleted the microbes die off, and the microbes die off, and the contaminated site is returned to its contaminated site is returned to its pre-contaminated state.pre-contaminated state.

In most Cases the microbes are non-In most Cases the microbes are non-pathogenic, non-toxic, non-pathogenic, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and biodegradable. carcinogenic and biodegradable.

Other UsesOther Uses Emergency Response Applications Emergency Response Applications Air Pollution Regulations and Fence Monitoring Air Pollution Regulations and Fence Monitoring Spill and Leak Clean Up Spill and Leak Clean Up Industrial Vessel, Tank and Line Cleaning Industrial Vessel, Tank and Line Cleaning Remediation of Pollution Remediation of Pollution Golf Courses Golf Courses Ocean PollutionOcean Pollution

ReferencesReferences

Alabaster Bioremediation Corp., 2005, Alabaster Bioremediation Corp., 2005, http://www.alabastercorp.com/bioremediatiohttp://www.alabastercorp.com/bioremediation.htmn.htm

Wikipedia, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioremediationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioremediation