Inżynieria Ekologiczna Nr 2

Ken Richardson
TECHNOLOGIE ODOLEJANIA GRUNTÓW, ODPADÓW, ŒCIEKÓW
BIO-REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGY CASES IN IRLAND:
‘NATURES SOLUTION TO OIL POLLUTION’
Introduction
Recent Advances in bio-technology have provided us with a natural solution to oil pollution
in the environment. By massively accelerating the biological activity of naturally
occurring micro-organisms (bacteria and nutrients). It is possible to degrade many types
of organic pollution including oil, petrol, diesel and many solvents into harmless substance.
On-going development, plus an increasing industrial acceptance of bio-remediation
technology, has produced a natural alternative for cleaning up major oil pollution problems
in-situ, both on land and water.
This article describes the biological theory behind the implementation of bio-remediation
technology. It describe some major successes achieved thus far and gives a view
towards a cleaner future through the implementation of this environmentally friendly and
cost effective technology.
Whether as a consequence of accidental spillage or through long term disregard for
the environment, the degree of contamination both on land and in water industrial centres
around the world has left us with a legacy of pollution problems. Now that a more responsible
attitude towards the environment is being rightfully taken by individual organisations,
mainly because of stricter legislation and public pressure, changes in company policy are
occurring. As a consequence there is a general requirement for improving the methods by
which we clean up contaminated sites.
Bio-Technology: A ‘Growth’ Industry
Research conducted during the past 20 years has isolated specific micro-organisms (mainly
bacteria and fungi) which are able to survive and grow in grossly polluted areas. Furthermore,
it has been found that many of these species actually utilise certain toxic chemicals as
a source of both metabolic energy and of the biochemical building blocks required for continued
population growth. The toxic compounds are consequently being broken down into their
constituent chemical component parts (usually non-toxic carbon dioxide, water and mineralised
basic elements) as the population of micro-organisms proliferate.
Research and Development
Utilising this wealth of detailed knowledge on which of the potentially toxic organic
substances are inherently bio-degradable has led to the development of modern bio-remediation
technology. The efficient application of this technology relics on an ability to culture
the exact species of micro-organisms which are known to be capable of breaking down
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