16/07/2014
WHY BIOREMEDIATION IS THE BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE
Written by Mark
We live in a society where we all appreciate a good vanishing act, especially when it comes to waste. We don’t like to get our hands dirty and will do the bare minimum to alleviate the waste problem. However, in recent years it has come to light that we need to take more responsibility. Bioremediation is quite simply an extremely responsible use of a natural biological process that will assist with overcoming a dire environmental concern.
Bioremediation will save the soil now and in the long run.
In the industrial sector, especially the heavy industries, it is likely that what you spill will be hazardous. No matter how efficient your operation, human error will come into play at some stage and it is wise to have clean-up tools available at the drop of a hat – or at the drop of a leaking oil tank. Bioremediation is a clean-up tool used to remedy spills in soil. Cleaning polluted soil is a challenge. The hazardous material that has been spilt can cause havoc with the environment downstream and the effects may be felt for years to come. With bioremediation, the contaminant is degraded into a by-product of water, carbon dioxide and bi-mass, eliminating the possibility of polluted soil causing problems in the future. The affected soil and the pollutant responsible are dealt with on site and therefore often remedied before there is a chance of the hazardous material moving downstream and causing more damage as it goes.
Bioremediation is science mimicking nature – the ideal scenario.
Bioremediation is a naturally occurring practice in non-polluted environments where fungi, bacteria and many other microorganisms break down the organic matter around them.
When a contaminant such as oil pollutes an area, many of the microorganisms may die off. However, there are some that have the capability to ingest the pollutant and survive. These microorganisms are the ones that bioremediation solutions focus on, encouraging their growth so as ensure a rapid solution to the pollution. In a case where the polluted area does not contain microbes that can ingest the pollutant material, the microbes can be added by a solution such as those offered by BlueStream.
Bioremediation ensures minimal risk and maximum efficacy in cleaning.
There is very little risk (health and environmental) involved in this cleaning process and it is an excellent way to keep clean-up costs to a minimum. The alternative solutions to bioremediation are incineration or creating a landfill. These are both costly affairs that carry substantial risks. There is very little environmental risk involved with bioremediation in that you are treating the polluted soil and water in the place where it was polluted. There is no disturbance of the surrounding environment that would normally occur when placing the contaminated soil into containment or hauling large quantities of soil, sediment and water from the affected area to the landfill or for incineration.
Bioremediation products and techniques can boast about bearing no recognisable threats.
Most bioremediation products are non-toxic, non-abrasive, non-carcinogenic and non-volatile. This is always a plus considering how many other techniques cannot claim to have the same characteristics. Ultimately, bioremediation doesn’t pose any recognisable threats to the user or the surroundings. Bioremediation is a responsible and innovative waste solution. In fact, it amounts to an excellent vanishing act for pollution in soil or groundwater.
