BIOREMEDIATION: Advanced biotechnology for a clean environment.
Bioremediation is a process that uses naturally occurring microorganism's metabolisms to
transform harmful substances into non-toxic byproducts.
It is one of the most promising new technologies for treating chemical spills
and hazardous waste problems. Bioremediation is especially effective when
utilized at the site of the contamination.
Bioremediation is an attractive option for several reasons:
- It is an ecologically sound, "natural" process.
- The residues from the biological treatment are harmless byproducts.
- Instead of merely transferring contaminants from one environmental medium to another, bioremediation destroys the target pollutants.
- Bioremediation is usually less expensive than other technologies that are used to clean up hazardous waste.
- Bioremediation can often be accomplished where the problem is located. This eliminates the need to transport large quantities of contaminated waste off site and the potential threats to human health and the environment that can arise during such transportation.
- Bioremediation is a technology that holds enormous promise for the future.
- It can be a non-disruptive, cost-effective, and efficient means of destroying harmful chemicals at many chemical spill and hazardous waste sites.