Bioremediation : a case study of hydrocarbon contamination clean up in soil

Abstract

Gasoline stations are the most common type of hydrocarbon contaminated sites today. One method that is effective in remediating petroleum contaminated soils and water is bioremediation. Bioremediation is a newly recognized process that uses the soils naturally occurring microorganisms to breakdown toxic or hazardous substances into less harmful substances. It works because many of the organic compounds that comprise hazardous waste can be used as food by microorganisms. Bioremediation is a method that has been used for many decades. Most frequently, in the treatment of waste water from waste water treatment plants. However, its slow recognition in has lead to the use of other costly methods or no methods at all. Bioremediation, like other remediations cannot be considered a solution to every contamination problem, it to has its limitations. However, because it is capable of remediating and the fact that it is cost effective, it will play an important future role in solving today's pollution problems.