Can we Improve Bioremediation?

Abstract

Bioremediation, enhancing biological processes to remediate contamination or environmental degradation, has considerable public support because it aims to enhance natural processes – it is generally seen as ‘‘environmentally appropriate.’’ And in many cases it can be the most cost-effective treatment. But often the process is considerably slower than physical methods such as removing the contaminated material to a secure landfill. Are there avenues of research that might lead to dramatically faster bioremediation technologies? Most research has focused on microbial degradation – are there opportunities for stimulating this by affecting higher trophic levels in the ecosystem?