Bioremediation has been recognized as the application of beneficial microorganism for the sanitization of heavily polluted environment. This might be linked to the
fact that these microorganisms could use most of these pollutants as a substrate, then
degrade, metabolize, or then chelate various toxic compounds (Tausz and Donath
1930; Mosa et al. 2016). Microorganisms possess the capability to biodegrade
contaminants by cometabolism or the utilization of these pollutants as a carbon
source (Mosa et al. 2016; Garbisu and Alkorta 2003). Bioremediation has been
identified as a sustainable biotechnological solution that could mitigate all the
highlighted environmental challenges, This might be linked to the following attributes such cost-effectiveness, noninvasive, eco-friendly, and sustainable without
any form of contamination (Garbisu and Alkorta 2003; Perelo 2010; Kulik et al.
2006; Xu and Lu 2010). Bioremediation of heavily contaminated soil can be
performed ex situ which might be at a certain place or in situ which might be at
the place of contamination. (Xu and Lu 2010; Angelucci and Tomei 2016; Tomei
and Daugulis 2013). The process of in situ bioremediation involves three major
processes such as natural attenuation, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation (Suja
et al. 2014; Pimmata et al. 2013).
The process of bioaugmentation involves the introduction of certain microorganisms that possess some special potential to break down some certain contaminants
which some indigenous microorganisms might not be able to break down, or when
these indigenous microflora are not available in sufficient amount (Pimmata et al.
2013; Simarro et al. 2013). Therefore, in order for these microorganisms to perform
the process of bioaugmentation effectively, they must possess certain features such
as capability to degrade certain pollutants whether in immobilized or mobilized
inoculum state, and they must be able to survive in an adverse environment move
through pore available in the soil. The process of bioaugmentation involves the
application of indigenous microorganisms or genetically modified microorganisms
could be utilized for the bioremediation purposes. The process of bioaugmentation
depends on the level of relationship between indigenous and exogenous populations
of microorganisms due to the fact that they all depend and compete for the availability of nutrients (Simarro et al. 2013; Hamdi et al. 2007; Alisi et al. 2009; Ueno
et al. 2007).
Therefore, this chapter intends to provide a comprehensive detail on the application of bioaugmentation as biotechnological tool for the bioremediation of heavily
contaminated environment. The modes of action by which bioaugmentation were
analyzed in detail. Various microorganisms that play crucial role in various
bioaugmentation processes were highlighted. Future recommendations that will
promote the sustainability of bioaugmentation approaches were also highlighted.
15 Bioaugmentation: A Powerful Biotechnological Techniques for Sustainable. . .
375
fact that these microorganisms could use most of these pollutants as a substrate, then
degrade, metabolize, or then chelate various toxic compounds (Tausz and Donath
1930; Mosa et al. 2016). Microorganisms possess the capability to biodegrade
contaminants by cometabolism or the utilization of these pollutants as a carbon
source (Mosa et al. 2016; Garbisu and Alkorta 2003). Bioremediation has been
identified as a sustainable biotechnological solution that could mitigate all the
highlighted environmental challenges, This might be linked to the following attributes such cost-effectiveness, noninvasive, eco-friendly, and sustainable without
any form of contamination (Garbisu and Alkorta 2003; Perelo 2010; Kulik et al.
2006; Xu and Lu 2010). Bioremediation of heavily contaminated soil can be
performed ex situ which might be at a certain place or in situ which might be at
the place of contamination. (Xu and Lu 2010; Angelucci and Tomei 2016; Tomei
and Daugulis 2013). The process of in situ bioremediation involves three major
processes such as natural attenuation, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation (Suja
et al. 2014; Pimmata et al. 2013).
The process of bioaugmentation involves the introduction of certain microorganisms that possess some special potential to break down some certain contaminants
which some indigenous microorganisms might not be able to break down, or when
these indigenous microflora are not available in sufficient amount (Pimmata et al.
2013; Simarro et al. 2013). Therefore, in order for these microorganisms to perform
the process of bioaugmentation effectively, they must possess certain features such
as capability to degrade certain pollutants whether in immobilized or mobilized
inoculum state, and they must be able to survive in an adverse environment move
through pore available in the soil. The process of bioaugmentation involves the
application of indigenous microorganisms or genetically modified microorganisms
could be utilized for the bioremediation purposes. The process of bioaugmentation
depends on the level of relationship between indigenous and exogenous populations
of microorganisms due to the fact that they all depend and compete for the availability of nutrients (Simarro et al. 2013; Hamdi et al. 2007; Alisi et al. 2009; Ueno
et al. 2007).
Therefore, this chapter intends to provide a comprehensive detail on the application of bioaugmentation as biotechnological tool for the bioremediation of heavily
contaminated environment. The modes of action by which bioaugmentation were
analyzed in detail. Various microorganisms that play crucial role in various
bioaugmentation processes were highlighted. Future recommendations that will
promote the sustainability of bioaugmentation approaches were also highlighted.
15 Bioaugmentation: A Powerful Biotechnological Techniques for Sustainable. . .
375