The Process of Bioremediation
uses naturally occurring
microbes to degrade toxic
substances into less toxic or
non-toxic materials. The
microorganisms like all animals
eat and digest organic (carbon
and hydrogen based) materials.
Some microorganisms can eat and
digest substances consider toxic
to humans (fuels,
solvents, etc.). They break down
these toxic substances in to
less toxic form -mainly carbon
dioxide and water. Once the
contaminants are degraded; the
microorganisms food supply is
gone and the microbes die off.
The dead microorganisms in the
absence of their toxic food pose
no contamination risk.
Bioremediation
allows natural
processes to
clean up harmful
chemicals in the
environment.
Microscopic
bugs or
microbes that
live in soil and
groundwater like
to eat certain
harmful
chemicals, such
as those found
in gasoline and
oil spills. When
microbes
completely
digest these
chemicals, they
change them into
water and
harmless gases
such as carbon
dioxide. First
the Microbe eats
the oil, next
the Microbe
digests oil and
changes it to
water and
harmless gases,
and finally the
Microbe releases
water and
harmless gases
into soil or
groundwater.
Bioremediation
is very safe
because it
relies on
microbes that
naturally occur
in soil. These
microbes are
helpful and pose
no threat to
people at the
site or in the
community.
Microbes
themselves wont
hurt you, but
never touch the
polluted soil or
groundwater,
especially
before eating.
No dangerous
chemicals are
used in
bioremediation.
Because
bioremediation
changes the
harmful
chemicals into
water and
harmless gases,
the harmful
chemicals are
completely
destroyed.
How does Bioremediation work?
Bioremediation is the application of a
biological treatment to cleanup
hazardous chemicals. this results in the
destruction of organic waste and
eliminates environmental risk and
liability.
The
processes of bioremediation use a
variety of microbes, enzymes, oxygen and
other nutrients to chemically transform
hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and
water. Bioremediation Surface Cleaner
increases the surface area of the
hydrocarbons while the enzymes break
down the contaminants into material that
the microbes can consume, finally
transforming them into carbon dioxide
and water.
The enzymes used activate oxygen and
convert it to a form in which the oxygen
atom can be incorporated directly into
the hydrocarbon compound, thus breaking
the long-chain bonds. The enzymes then
attract the microbes surrounding the
cell surfaces to catalyze the breakdown
reactions. As this process is repeated,
the hydrocarbon compound is quickly
broken down so that the microbes can
then readily assimilate these simple
hydrocarbons. Once the reaction is
complete, the enzyme breaks free to
attach to another hydrocarbon source in
order to repeat the same reaction.
Bioremediation depends on the natural
biological processes of microorganisms,
one of which is metabolism.
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.
Did you know?
Most microorganisms do not cause
disease.
Microorganisms generate at least half
the oxygen we breathe.
Microbes drive the chemistry of life and
affect the global climate.
