Life Science Encyclopedia

Intrinsic bioremediation is the conversion of environmental pollutants into harmless forms through the innate capabilities of the naturally occurring microbial population.

Overview

There is increasing interest in intrinsic bioremediation for control of all or some of the contamination of waste sites. The intrinsic that is the inherent capacity of microorganisms to metabolize the contaminants should be tested at laboratory and field levels before use of intrinsic bioremediation.

The conditions of site that favor intrinsic bioremediation are:

• Ground water flow throughout the year
• Supply of electron acceptors and nutrients for microbial growth
• Absence of toxic compounds.

Bioremediation of waste mixtures that contain toxic levels of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cyanide can create a problem.

References

• Environmental Contamination & Bioreclamation by Arvind Kumar