Bioremediation is defined as the use of microorganisms to remove or degrade toxic or unwanted chemicals from an environment. Enhanced bioremediation accelerates this natural process by manipulating biological components (population, nutrients, and oxygen). BioRemedial Technologies cultivates microbes indigenous to the site for this purpose. The selected contaminant-degrading organisms are harmless to the environment and to humans. Along with microbes, BioRemedial Technologies develops site-specific nutrient formulas and oxygen delivery systems to support the microbial degradation process.

Enhanced bioremediation offers distinct advantages over many traditional remediation methods as well as natural attenuation. Shortened clean-up times reduce monitoring and operational costs and eliminate long-term liability associated with natural attenuation. In situ enhanced bioremediation strategies are especially advantageous. Clean-up times are far less than that of traditional pump and treat (which is often prone to flat-lining), as contaminant sources and sinks are degraded in place. The cost savings of in situ treatment versus dig and haul can be substantial as regulatory limits are met and exceeded with minimal site disturbance.

Physiological conditions under which the compound may be degraded:
• As a carbon and energy source
• As an electron acceptor for respiration (anaerobic)
• Cometabolically (fortuitous enzymatic degradation; bacteria obtain no physiological benefit)

Aerobically Biodegradable Compounds (Partial List)
Alcohols	BTEX and MTBE	Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (TCE)
Cumene	Diesel	Formaldehyde
Glycols	JP-4 Fuels	Ketones (MEK)
Lubricating Oils	Naphthalene	Phenol
Phthalates	Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)	Styrene
Vinyl Chloride

Microbial Populations provide the foundation for bioremediation. Biodegradation typically involves an integrated effort of multiple microbial species.

Populations must:
• Be present in sufficient number
• Possess genetic resources for required enzyme system(s) for chemical degradation

• Oxygen concentration and demand:
     • Aerobic vs. anaerobic site conditions
     • Oxygen introduction / maintenance, Oxygen release materials, Air sparge, Bioventing, Oxygenated water.

• Temperature:
     • “optimal” temperature for bacterial growth and enzyme activity.

• pH:
     • usually between 6.5 and 8.0.  

• Nutrients:
     • Nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations.
     • Type of nutrients selected: hydrophilic vs. oleophilic.

• Trace elements:
     • Cofactors for enzyme reactions, growth factors.

• Soil type
• Hydrogeology of site
• Accessibility (site and contaminant)
• Delivery system of microbial inoculum and biological amendments
• Surfactants
• Site delineation and source treatment