Biostimulation Strategies for Enhanced Bioremediation of Marine Oil Spills Including Chronic Pollution

Abstract

Biostimulation offers an excellent strategy for combating oil spills following first response actions. Bioremediation rates can be enhanced significantly through the successful stimulation of indigenous degraders with suitable nutrients. The conditions under which biostimulation leads to increased effectiveness are reviewed and strategies for successful biostimulation applications to open sea and near shore environments including chronically polluted sites are suggested.