Bioremediation

Bioremediation can be defined as any process that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to return the environment altered by contaminants to its original condition. Bioremediation may be employed in order to attack specific contaminants, such as chlorinated pesticides that are degraded by bacteria, or a more general approach may be taken, such as oil spills that are broken down using multiple techniques including the addition of fertilizer to facilitate the decomposition of crude oil by bacteria. Types of Bioremediation The main types of bioremediation are as follows: Biostimulation -- Nutrients and oxygen - in a liquid or gas form - are added to contaminated water or soil to encourage the growth and activity of bacteria already existing in the soil or water. The disappearance of contaminants is monitored to ensure that remediation occurs. Bioaugmentation -- Microorganisms that can clean up a particular contaminant are added to the contaminated soil or water. Bioaugmentation is more commonly and successfully used on contaminants removed from the original site, such as in municipal wastewater treatment facilities. To date, this method has not been very successful when done at the site of the contamination because it is difficult to control site conditions for the optimal growth of the microorganisms added. Scientists have yet to completely understand all the mechanisms involved in bioremediation, and organisms introduced into a foreign environment may have a hard time surviving. Intrinsic Bioremediation -- Also known as natural attenuation, this type of bioremediation occurs naturally in contaminated soil or water. This natural bioremediation is the work of microorganisms and is seen in petroleum contamination sites, such as old gas stations with leaky underground oil tanks. Researchers are studying whether intrinsic bioremediation happens in areas with other types of chemical contamination. Application of this technique requires close monitoring of contaminant degradation to ensure that environmental and human health are protected. All three types of bioremediation can be used at the site of contamination (in situ) or on contamination removed from the original site (ex situ). In the case of contaminated soil, sediments, and sludges, it can involve land tilling in order to make the nutrients and oxygen more available to the microorganisms.

Microbial Metabolism Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that happen in a cell or organism. All living processes are based on a complex series of chemical reactions. Metabolic processes fall into two types those that build complex molecular structures from simpler molecules, called anabolism, and those that breaks down complex molecules into simpler molecules, called catabolism. Chemicals present in contaminated sites can be remediated through either, or both, of these processes. Anabolism Building Up In anabolism, chemicals taken up by the microorganism are used to build various cell parts. Carbon and nitrogen are the basic chemicals in the proteins, sugars and nucleic acids that make up microbial cells. Microorganisms take up carbon and nitrogen from the soil, water, and air around them. In order to take up nutrients and make them into cell parts, a microorganism needs energy. This is where catabolism comes in. Catabolism Breaking Down Catabolism allows microorganisms to gain energy from the chemicals available in the environment. Although most microorganisms are exposed to light and to chemical energy sources, most rely on chemicals for their energy. When chemicals break down, energy is released. Microorganisms use this energy to carry out cellular functions, such as those involved in anabolism. Anabolism and Catabolism's Role in Bioremediation Chemicals present at contaminated sites become part of the anabolism and catabolism process. For example, hydrocarbons (part of the carbon family) present at sites with petroleum products can be taken up by microorganisms and used as building blocks for cell components. Other chemicals that are important to a microorganism include chemical compounds in the phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sodium group. Microorganisms also need trace elements of other chemicals, including chromium, cobalt, copper, and iron, all of which can be available in abundance at contaminated sites.

Biotechnology and Bioremediation Nature has mechanisms for self-renewal. The role of biotechnology in bioremediation is to efficiently apply these existing mechanisms to clean up environmental contamination. Various microorganisms are being studied to see if they can remediate various chemicals often present at contaminated industrial sites. Also, scientists are currently looking into genetically engineering certain microorganisms to increase their ability to metabolize specific chemicals, such as hydrocarbons, in contaminated sites.

Bioremediating Oil & Gas Industry Wastewater The oil industry uses bacteria to clean up pollution created by spills and underground leaks, and to clean up waste products from oil production. Wastewater containing dissolved hydrocarbons make up the largest volume of waste material generated by the oil and gas industry. Some parts of hydrocarbons are very toxic and do not break down naturally. This wastewater is sometimes treated in bioremediation lagoons enclosed ponds containing oil-degrading bacteria before it goes out into the environment. However, this process is very time-consuming. To remediate wastewater faster and more efficiently, Saskatchewan researchers developed a reactor that uses oil-degrading bacteria. The reactor, which uses bacteria from the Pseudomonas family, consists of a tubular structure with a bacterial film through which the wastewater is filtered. Bioremediating Contaminated Sediment Organic waste from sewage, pulp and paper mills, and steel/petroleum industries have contaminated many of the world's harbours, lakes, rivers and canals. They affect water quality and aquatic life, sometimes combining with other naturally existing compounds in water to produce foul-smelling toxic gases. The most common way to deal with sediment contamination is to scoop it up and move it away for long-term storage or treatment. However, these procedures are expensive. As well, excavation disrupts the natural habitat of the aquatic plants and animals, and is not viable as a long-term solution.