Above Ground Bioremediation: Two Stage Strategy for the Selection of Optimum Operation Conditions

Abstract

Bioremediation has proven to be an effective treatment technology for a wide range of contaminated soils, with regard both to waste components and to soil type. The main principle underlying this technology is the enhancement of soil biological activity on the contaminants. This is achieved by means of three different kind of actions: (a) control of environmental factors to optimize biodegradation conditions, (b) enhancement of contaminant mass transfer to the soil microflora (bioavailability), and (c) inoculation of soil with appropriate microorganisms (bioaugmentation). Selection in each particular case of suitable kind of actions, and adjustment of that actions to contaminated site characteristics is an essential step in the application of bioremediation technology.