Bioremediation: Microorganisms Cleaning the Environment
Timeline
Courtship Period (pre-1989)
The first ‘courtship’ period was fundamentally focused on research. This was when bioremediation was little known outside the microbiology community. Many articles and scientific papers published from the 1980s and earlier documented the process of microbial breakdown of oil. Various studies following oil spills like the Amoco Cadiz observed oil degradation in the environment and confirmed results from previous laboratory studies. This established a basic understanding of oil biodegradation. (TL9)
Honeymoon Period (1989-1991)
Bioremediation received the most attention during this 'honeymoon period.' In March 1989, an oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound. During the first weeks after the spill, responders were flooded with offers of help and with advertisements for products that would clean up the oil that spread over the of coastline in Prince William Sound. The honeymoon period lasted until the late 1990 and 1991 as results from monitoring-conducted at many bioremediation applications. None of the studies performed outside Alaska were able to affirm the usefulness of bioremediation. (TL9)
Establishment Period (since 1992)
"During this time, bioremediation has achieved a certain level of acceptance, with more realistic expectations than earlier, but the level of interest and attention has decreased considerably" (TL9). Most propositions to use bioremediation in open environments are now accompanied by a sort of monitoring program to determine whether the technique is increasing the breakdown of oil. In the case of a major spill, like the Exxon Valdez, a test can be performed before the use of bioremediation. (TL9)
1960
The process of bioremediation was founded by George M. Robinson during an experiment involving soiled containers. Robinson used bioremediation to complete the cleanup of spills, sewage, and as well as odor and pest control. (TL2)
1972
The Sun Oil pipeline spill in Ambler, Pennsylvania was when the first commercial use of bioremediation was used. The Ambler site used the injections of nutrient solutions. (TL4)
600 BC
Roman architects designed and constructed sewage systems, which conducted the polluted water to vats and lagoons. In these sites, microorganisms did the of work organic waste biodegradation. (TL3)
1975
Ananda Chakrabarty discovered a method for genetic cross-linking that fixed plasmid genes in place. It produced a new species of bacteria, called pseudomonas putida, able to accomplish the consumption of oils. (TL5)
1970
Ananda Chakrabarty and his colleagues at discovered a strain of bacteria that is capable to degrade some components in crude oil. Chakrabarty filed a clear application, in which created the invention of a bacteria capable of degrading the oil. (TL3)
1989
After the Exxon Valdez spill, there was a powerful promotion of technology on the contaminated shorelines. Burning, mechanical cleanup, and chemical dispersants were methods used to clean up. (TL6)
1990
The treatment of contaminated soils and more recently groundwater had become more commercialized. (TL1)
1992
Environmental Protection Agency prepared a survery. It received information in the United States of 240 bioremediation cases. (TL1)
2005
UK researchers found how a species of bacteria decreased uranium from a decomposition state to an insoluble one, but is probably incapable to perform the same deed on other radioactive actinide elements. (TL7)
2014
By exploiting nature’s own ability to clean up after oil spills, researchers in Trondheim have achieved results. The components of the oils have been accurately recorded, enabling them to select the perfect oil for their experiment. (TL8)
