| Organic Bioremediation | |||||||||
| The Center has an improved approach for the bioremediation of organics by introducing a proprietary mix of live microorganisms and enzymes for better degradation of even the more recalcitrant organics. Over long periods of time, without human intervention, nature eliminates both natural and most man-made organic pollution - natural bioremediation. Naturally occurring microorganisms, enzymes, chemicals and weather combine to eventually bioremediate - eliminate most organic pollutants. In a general sense, organic pollutants can be divided into four general groups, bases on their bioremediation susceptibility, with the fourth group made up of recalcitrant chlorinated organics. | |||||||||
*May leave some toxic organic chemicals behind |
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The Center also specializes in difficult to treat contaminants, such as metal-organic
complexes found in sediment environments, with unique blends of microorganisms and enzymes
in process configurations to meet site environmental requirements. We have a legacy
of organic and organic-metal treatment technology development for difficult to treat sites
such as the Chicago River and Great Lakes sediments. These sediment environments
often consist of hot spots that have both high organic and metal contamination. Bioremediation, the degradation or stabilization of contaminants by microorganisms can be a safe, effective, and economic alternative to traditional methods of remediation. Bioremediation can also be used in conjunction with a wide range of physical and chemical technologies. Intrinsic bioremediation, the remediation of contaminants by naturally occurring biological processes at background rates, is examined for restoration of contaminated environments where other remediation methods are not feasible. To ensure success of any implemented bioremediation process, bench-scale experiments - biotreatability studies, are usually required to determine natural and augmented microbial degrading activities in the contaminated media. Biotreatability tests determine the amount of specific microbial metabolic activity stimulation by the addition of complementary microorganisms and/or nutrients, and optimization of environmental factors. The Center has collected cultures from various organic-metal contaminated sites (hot spots) that are used in the formulation of various products - BE-1 and BE-2 and an enzyme preparation BIOCAPSULES-ENZ that can be used alone or in combination with other live microbial products, like our BIOCAPSULES-OG, to effectively treat organic contamination.The Center's project teams include specialists in contaminant microbiology, hydrometallurgical techniques, and environmental engineering that can combine knowledge of contaminant and microbial interactions with that of bioremediation design and construction. This combination of disciplines assures clients that developed projects will be grounded in the fundamentals of bioremediation engineering and bounded by knowledge of bioremediation limitations. Flexibility allows for development of soil, surface, and groundwater remediation programs to meet project-specific needs. |
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