Understanding:
• Responses to pollution incidents can involve bioremediation combined with physical and chemical procedures
• Microorganisms are used in bioremediation
Pollution involves the release of harmful contaminants into the natural environment, causing ecological disruption
- Responses to pollution incidents can involve bioremediation combined with physical and chemical procedures
Bioremediation is the process by which microorganisms are used to return a polluted environment to its natural state
- Microorganisms may produce specific enzymes and undergo certain chemical processes that can break down contaminants
Bioremediation is often supported by physical and chemical procedures that help filter the contaminant out of the environment
- Physical: Detergents and dispersal agents may be deployed on oil spills to prevent the contaminants from aggregating
- Chemical: Contaminants can alternatively be burnt, removed by dissolving or destroyed by chemical oxidation
Bioremediation of an Oil Spill
