Bioremediation

Definition

The use of organisms such as plants or microorganisms to aid in removing hazardous substances from an area.Any process that uses microorganisms, fungi, green plants, or their enzymes to return the natural environment altered by contaminants to its original condition.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice 2017 1

Note that bioremediation is a term which has been defined and used differently (see other definitions).

Other definitions

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2013 2

The act of adding fertilizers or other materials to contaminated environments, such as oil spill sites, to accelerate the natural biodegradation process. Three main types of bioremediation technologies are currently being developed or applied for treatment of oil spills: addition of fertilizer to oiled shorelines, addition of microbial products to oiled shorelines, and addition of fertilizer and/or microbial products to open-water oil slicks.

References & Websites