Harnessing micro-organisms to clean up the environment.
Bioremediation is a waste-management technique that uses micro-organisms to remove and/or detoxify pollutants from a contaminated area. When carefully conducted, bioremediation is a cost-effective, practical method to remove hydrocarbons and other organics from polluted sites. Bioremediation also protects and preserves the environment by allowing living organisms to degrade or transform hazardous organic contaminants into neutral by-products.
This fascinating branch of biotechnology employs the use of living organisms, like microbes and bacteria, in the removal of contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from soil, water, and other environments. Bioremediation is used to clean up oil spills or contaminated groundwater.