to provide favourable environmental conditions for the proper growth of the microorganisms, so that the degradation can be achieved at a faster pace. Ordinarily,
bioremediation systems work under aerobic conditions, so as to permit microbial
organisms to degrade even recalcitrant molecules (Colberg and Young 1995; Strong
and Burgess 2008).
Advantages of Bioremediation
• Bioremediation is generally carried out using normal biological activities (Vidali
2001).
• This technique is low cost and requires low technical assistance (Vidali 2001).
• It also has acquired high public acceptance due to its environment friendly nature
(Vidali 2001).
• When compared with the traditional methods of incineration, bioremediation
methods are much more economical (Colberg and Young 1995).
Disadvantages
• The variety of contaminants on which bioremediation works is quite narrow, viz.
chlorinated organic or high aromatic hydrocarbons are tough contaminants and
are found to be resistant microbial attack. Hence, the process may not be able to
see any degradation reaction, or if it takes place, it may be very slow (Colberg and
Young 1995).
• The process is relatively long, sometimes may even require decades.
• Designing and implementation of a successful bioremediation programme require
experience and expertise.
• The process and factors of bioremediation is not fully understood (Vidali 2001).
3.4 Types of Bioremediation
The location of contaminants plays a very important role in the feasibility of the
bioremediation process. If the implementation of the process is to be done on site,
then the process is called in situ.
Feasibility of bioremediation depends on the location of contaminants.
Approaches for the implementation of bioremediation depend on whether the
impacted soil to be treated is intact in the environment or it is to be excavated for
treatment in an offsite facility. If on site, the term in situ remediation suffices and if
offsite then ex situ terms are used (Kumar et al. 2011; Orji et al. 2012; Hamzah et al.
2013) (Fig. 3.1).
3 Microbial Indicators of Bioremediation: Potential and Success
89
bioremediation systems work under aerobic conditions, so as to permit microbial
organisms to degrade even recalcitrant molecules (Colberg and Young 1995; Strong
and Burgess 2008).
Advantages of Bioremediation
• Bioremediation is generally carried out using normal biological activities (Vidali
2001).
• This technique is low cost and requires low technical assistance (Vidali 2001).
• It also has acquired high public acceptance due to its environment friendly nature
(Vidali 2001).
• When compared with the traditional methods of incineration, bioremediation
methods are much more economical (Colberg and Young 1995).
Disadvantages
• The variety of contaminants on which bioremediation works is quite narrow, viz.
chlorinated organic or high aromatic hydrocarbons are tough contaminants and
are found to be resistant microbial attack. Hence, the process may not be able to
see any degradation reaction, or if it takes place, it may be very slow (Colberg and
Young 1995).
• The process is relatively long, sometimes may even require decades.
• Designing and implementation of a successful bioremediation programme require
experience and expertise.
• The process and factors of bioremediation is not fully understood (Vidali 2001).
3.4 Types of Bioremediation
The location of contaminants plays a very important role in the feasibility of the
bioremediation process. If the implementation of the process is to be done on site,
then the process is called in situ.
Feasibility of bioremediation depends on the location of contaminants.
Approaches for the implementation of bioremediation depend on whether the
impacted soil to be treated is intact in the environment or it is to be excavated for
treatment in an offsite facility. If on site, the term in situ remediation suffices and if
offsite then ex situ terms are used (Kumar et al. 2011; Orji et al. 2012; Hamzah et al.
2013) (Fig. 3.1).
3 Microbial Indicators of Bioremediation: Potential and Success
89