Bioremediation: Microorganisms Cleaning the Environment
Advantages
• Bioremediation is a natural process and is therefore viewed by the public as an acceptable waste treatment process for contaminated material. Microbes are able to degrade the contaminant. When the contaminant is degraded, the biodegradative population decreases. Carbon dioxide, water, and cell biomass are the results of these transformations into harmless products.
• For the complete destruction of contaminants, bioremediation can be used. Harmless products are produced from converting them from previous dangerous materials. The liability associated with treatment and disposal of contaminated material is eliminated.
• The complete destruction of target pollutants is possible without having to move the contaminants from one environmental surrounding to another.
• Bioremediation can often be taken care of on site, without causing a major interruption of normal activities. This also eliminates the need to transport waste off site and the possible threats to human health and the environment that can arise during transportation.
• For clean-up of hazardous waste, bioremediation provides the most cost effective and natural way to clean up an effected area. (IS1)
Disadvantages
• Not all compounds are biodegradable, which limits bioremediation use in many ways.
• There are some apprehensions that the products of biodegradation may be more toxic than the original material.
• There are many important site factors required for completion of bioremediation such as the presence of metabolically capable microbial populations, and appropriate levels of nutrients and contaminants. Biological processes are highly specific.
• It is difficult to infer from bench and studies to perform field operations of bioremediation.
• Bioremediation technologies require much research. This is appropriate for sites with intricate mixtures of contaminants that are not evenly distributed in the environment. Solids, liquids, and gases are ways contaminants can be present.
• Unlike excavation, removal of soil or incineration, bioremediation is a process that requires more time.
• There is no definition of “clean”, evaluating performance of bioremediation is difficult, and there are no acceptable endpoints for bioremediation treatments. There are many concerns that bioremediation isn't the most effective way to go. (IS1)
Bioremediation usually occurs underground, not disturbing the community or the site. The contaminants, such as ground water and as well as the water stay onsite. However, many living in the area of the use bioremediation may hear the process, which includes mixers, pumps, and other equipment to clean up the site. (E1)
Social Issues
Legal issues surrounding bioremediation include property rights of the site where bioremediation may be used and the consent of the community. There are two major acts that help regulate bioremediation:
Research Conservation and Recovery Act
The RCRA was brought about in 1976 to help identify toxic waste that is dangerous to the enviroment's health. Disposal of any hazardous material must go through the RCRA and follow through the standards and procedures.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Recovery Act
The CERCRA, created in 1986, was to provide the EPA with the authority to clean up the toxic sites. Those who create, store, or anything of waste is held responsible for its clean up. CERCRA provides an extreme inncentive for this.
Legal Issues
Bacteria is generally altered for use of the bioremediation process. Many other microorganisms are also used, such as fungi and algae. Because bacteria is used, it brings up an issue of whether this technology affects the nature of the environment. (E4)
