Bioremediation - innovative solutions for old environmental challenges

Abstract

Until recently, we considered natural recycling capacities unlimited. However, industrial development, usage of fossil fuels and production of manmade compounds has led to the situation were the amount of generated waste is exceeding the capacity of nature for self-purification. For this purpose to clean up polluted areas, a number of methods have been developed and applied: chemical, physical, physico-chemical, in order to extract, control, and transform the harmful substances. However, it is characteristic that for most of the methods currently in use, as a result of their use, waste that requires controlled disposal is generated. One of the technologies that have achieved remarkable success in the world in terms of remediation of oil pollution is bioremediation - cleaning and curing primarily soil, as well as other ecosystems. This is the most natural method of remediation, which use non-pathogenic microorganisms for which pollutants represent food. In this way, by the action of microorganisms naturally present in the soil, pollutants are transformed into substances that have no toxic effects on humans and the environment, and then completely mineralized to carbon dioxide, water and biomass of microorganisms. It is confirmed that the best microorganisms for bioremediation are those already present at the polluted site that needs to be remediated.