Bioremediation

Bioremediation is used to clean up contaminants in our soils, surface water and groundwater. Some of this contamination is legal and regulated, such as industrial emissions. Much of this contamination is due to accidental or deliberate spills of chemicals into the environment.

• Name one industry in your area that releases potential pollutants into the environment.
  • What chemicals are released by this industry?
  • Why are these chemicals, if released in excessive quantities, considered dangerous to living organisms?
  • Are these chemicals released into the air or water, or are they placed on the land?
  • Has this industry ever been cited for polluting the environment?
  • What was done to correct the problem?
• Where is the closest landfill in your county of residence?
  • Name at least five chemicals that are released from landfills?
  • Are these chemicals released into the air or water, or are they placed directly onto the land?
  • Why are these chemicals, if released in excessive quantities, considered dangerous to living organisms?
  • Has this industry ever been cited for polluting the environment?
  • What was done to correct the problem?
• Name at least 10 chemicals that are in your kitchen or garage that could be harmful to the environment if the container was accidentally spilled.
• For one of these household chemicals, read the label and provide this information:
  • What is the name of the chemical?
  • Why is this chemical, if released in excessive quantities, considered dangerous to living organisms?
  • What restrictions for use of this chemical are noted on the label?
  • Why do you think these restrictions were put on the label?

How can bioremediation help in the clean up of environmental contamination?