Viewing bioremediation from a multimedia perspective

The most common varieties of bioremediation are in situ and vessel-contained. In the former, microorganisms and nutrients are added to a site and given time to consume organic matter. The major advantage inherent to this approach is that in situ bioremediation generally is the most cost-efficient method of treatment available. Vessel-contained bioremediation involves digging up the contaminated soil/solids along with any entrained fluids and depositing them into a container of inert materials. The major advantages of vessel-contained bioremediation relative to an in situ approach are that much higher levels of contamination can be treated effectively, and total treatment time can be shortened considerably. Regulatory approval also is easier to obtain. The recently discovered bacteria species Dehalococcoides ethenogenes has been found to thrive on just 2 foodstuffs: TCE and PCE.