bioremediation

Thân thiện

Scientists use bioremediation to clean the contaminated soil.

Definition

Noun: 1. The use of microorganisms to treat waste or pollutants: The process of using living organisms, especially bacteria or fungi, to break down and remove hazardous substances from a contaminated environment. 2. A branch of biotechnology focused on solving environmental problems: The field of study and application that employs biological processes to address and mitigate environmental damage, such as cleaning up oil spills or degrading pesticides in soil.

Usage Examples

• As a process:
  • The company specializes in the bioremediation of industrial sites contaminated with heavy metals.
  • Oil-eating bacteria are a key tool for the bioremediation of marine oil spills.
• As a field of study:
  • Her research in environmental science focuses on innovative methods of bioremediation.
  • Advances in bioremediation offer promising solutions for cleaning polluted groundwater.

Advanced Usage

• In-situ bioremediation: Refers to the treatment of contamination at the site where it is found, without excavating or moving the polluted material.
  • The cleanup plan involves in-situ bioremediation to treat the contaminated soil.
• Enhanced bioremediation: Describes the process where conditions are optimized (e.g., by adding nutrients or oxygen) to stimulate the growth of microorganisms and accelerate the cleanup.
  • The enhanced bioremediation project included injecting nutrients into the groundwater to boost microbial activity.

Variants and Related Words

• Bioremediate (verb): To subject to or treat by bioremediation.
  • Scientists are working to bioremediate the toxic landfill.
• Bioremediator (noun): An organism or substance used in bioremediation.
  • Certain fungi are effective bioremediators for hydrocarbon pollution.

Synonyms

• Biodegradation: The natural breakdown of materials by biological agents.
• Bioattenuation: The reduction in concentration or mass of a contaminant through biological processes.
• Environmental biotechnology: A broader field that includes bioremediation.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Phytoremediation: A related process that uses plants (instead of microbes) to absorb, concentrate, or degrade contaminants from soil and water.
• Microbial degradation: The specific breakdown of substances by microorganisms, which is the core mechanism of bioremediation.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of treating waste or pollutants by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that can break down the undesirable substances
2. the branch of biotechnology that uses biological process to overcome environmental problems