ABSTRACT
In the broadest application sense, bioremediation includes use of enzymes, growth stimulants, bacteria, fungi, or plants to degrade, transform, sequester, mobilize, or contain contaminant organics, inorganics, or metals in soil, water, or air. Bioremediation has been used successfully for more than 50 years and much is understood about where it is applicable, especially for petroleum contaminants. All engineered bioremediation can be characterized as biostimulation, bioaugmentation, or processes that use both. Modeling of the bioremediation process has become increasingly important in determining the fate and effect of contaminants and predicting the outcome of different amendment scenarios. Characterization and monitoring of bioremediation can be as simple as maintaining a fermentor for above-ground processes like prepared beds, land farming, bioslurry reactors, composting, and bioreactors. Nearly all engineered bioremediation projects could substantially reduce costs by stopping the biostimulation or bioaugmentation process early and allowing intrinsic bioremediation to finish the cleanup process.
