In situ bioremediation of contaminated aquifers and subsurface soils

Katherine H. Baker, Diane S. Herson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bioremediation, the use of microorganisms to detoxify and degrade hazardous wastes, is an emerging in situ treatment technology for the remediation of contaminated aquifers and subsurface soils. This technology depends upon the alteration of the physical/chemical conditions in the subsurface environment to optimize microbiological activity. As such, successful bioremediation depends not only upon an understanding of microbial degradation processes, but also upon an understanding of the complex interactions that occur between the contaminants, the subsurface environment, and the indigenous microbial populations at each site. At present, these interactions are poorly understood. Site‐specific evaluation and design therefore are essential for bioremediation. In this paper, we review microbiological, hydrological, and geochemical factors that should be considered in evaluating the appropriateness of bioremediation for hazardous waste‐contaminated aquifers and subsurface soils.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)133-146
Number of pages14
JournalGeomicrobiology Journal
Volume8
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1990

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Environmental Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

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