What (really) is Bioremediation?

Human-made pollution is causing great harm to ecosystems and public health, and traditional cleanup methods are often no better. But nature offers its own solutions. Bioremediation uses natural processes to break down pollutants in water, soil or other ecological systems, in order to restore environments. 

This article explores the definition of bioremediation, how it differs from bio-utilization, and includes real-world examples of bioremediation technology. 

What (really) is Bioremediation?

The Definition of Bioremediation: 

Bioremediation is the employment of microbes to degrade contaminated soil or water (and even the air). Microbes are very small organisms, such as bacteria, some of which can use contaminants as a source of food and energy. These microbes then consume, degrade or convert the contaminants and restore the environment.

Examples of contaminants targeted by bioremediation include oil and other petroleum products, solvents and pesticides.

Here's an overview of the process of bioremediation: 

Contaminants to an environment include anything harmful, from oil spills to land fill waste to pesticides. This image is free to use, provided that the user credits Learn Biomimicry and links back to this article. To learn more about projects that provide environmental solutions inspired by nature, explore our Biomimicry Practitioners' Bioremediation Projects here.

The Difference between Bioremediation and Bio-utilization 

The terms bioremediation and bio-utilization are often confused, but they are not the same. Both relate to using biological organisms or processes to address environmental or industrial needs, but they differ in purpose and context.

While both involve using living organisms, bioremediation specifically refers to the process of using microbes, fungi, or plants to break down or neutralize pollutants in soil, water, or air. It's about cleaning up environmental contamination.

Interested in fungi and bio-utilization? Read this case study: Fungi as a protein source

Bio-utilisation, on the other hand, is broader and refers to any harnessing of biological processes or organisms for various purposes - like converting waste into energy or producing useful materials - not necessarily focused on cleanup or the environment. 

This distinction is important because bioremediation is fundamentally a restorative practice, while bio-utilization can still perpetuate extractive or unsustainable systems if not designed carefully.

Here’s a overview of the two terms: 

Different Ways to Implement Bioremediation  

• In Situ Bioremediation: Nutrients, oxygen, or microbes are injected directly into the contaminated soil or groundwater.

• Ex Situ Bioremediation: Contaminated soil or water is excavated/pumped out and treated above ground.

• Phytoremediation: Specific plants are grown in contaminated soil or water to absorb or break down pollutants.

• Mycoremediation: Fungi (like oyster mushrooms) are cultivated on contaminated substrates to break down organic pollutants.

• Bioaugmentation: Specific microbial strains are grown in labs and introduced into the contaminated site.

• Biostimulation: Nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus) and oxygen are added to encourage native microbes.

You can read more details about the different strategies here on this article: Guide to Bioremediation

Top 10 Examples of Bioremediation 

1. Mycocycle (USA)

Mycocycle develops technologies utilizing mycology. Through enhancing the natural functions of fungi, their products transform construction waste into low-carbon raw materials for the built environment.  

Mycocycle uses a lab-based process that harnesses these fungal root structures to create a treatment that can break down toxins in construction waste, transforming it into safe, sustainable raw materials for building.

Natural organism/process used: Mycelial networks

Application: Converting construction waste to safe, usable materials

2. ECOR® by Noble Environmental Technologies (USA)

ECOR converts raw waste materials into sustainable building panels by intercepting and processing them before they enter traditional disposal systems. The materials are sorted, pulped mechanically, and blended with water to trigger a controlled chemical reaction. ECOR’s technology enables natural cellular-level bonding between fibers, creating high-performance, eco-friendly panels.

Natural organism/process used: Bacterial cycles

Application: Converting agricultural and urban waste into building materials

3. Fungi Perfecti (USA)

Founded by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, Fungi Perfecti has grown from a mushroom cultivation business into a pioneer in fungal bioremediation. Their mycoremediation technologies use targeted fungi to break down environmental pollutants, including petroleum and pesticides.

Products like MycoBooms and MycoMats contain mycelium selected for its ability to digest oil compounds. When used in spill containment, they absorb and break down oil into less harmful substances.

Natural organism/process used: Mycelial networks

Application: Breaking down pollutants, especially oil and pesticides

4. Mycoplast (Netherlands)

Mycoplast creates entirely biodegradable polymers derived from fungal mycelium. By converting agricultural waste into eco-friendly bioplastics, they offer materials that perform like traditional plastics, while restoring the environment in the process. 

Natural organism/process used: Mycelial networks

Application: Converting agricultural by-products into compostable alternatives to plastic

5. Allonia (USA) 

Allonia manufactures an in‑situ microbial treatment that breaks down the tough industrial contaminant 1,4‑dioxane, turning it into harmless water and CO2.

The company harnesses a naturally occurring aerobic bacteria and delivers these microbes directly into contaminated groundwater.

Natural organism/process used: Bacteria 

Application: Deploying microbes that consume and metabolize toxic groundwater pollution. 

6. Fyto (USA)

Fyto develops automated farming systems that harness the natural efficiency of lemna, a fast-growing aquatic plant, to enhance nutrient use on farms and produce environmentally sustainable agricultural goods. Their approach promotes both ecological responsibility and economic gains across the food supply chain.

Natural organism/process used: Nutrient cycling in aquatic plants

Application: Using floating wetlands and aquatic plant systems to remove contaminants from agricultural runoff.

7. BioPetroClean (Israel/USA)

BioPetroClean uses a blend of naturally occurring microbes tailored to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons in water. Their treatment system continuously monitors and adjusts microbial activity, optimizing the breakdown of oil pollutants in wastewater and contaminated soil.

 Natural organism/process used: Hydrocarbon-degrading microbes

Application: Treating wastewater and soil on oil & gas sites

8. InSitu Remediation Services (Canada) 

InSitu Remediation specializes in injecting custom microbial blends along with nutrients and oxygen sources directly into contaminated subsurface environments. These microbes accelerate the breakdown of organic pollutants such as petroleum, chlorinated solvents, and other hazardous compounds in soil and groundwater.

Natural process/organism used: Bacteria

Application: Deploying enhanced microbes to break down toxins in soil and groundwater

9. Delta Remediation (Canada)

Delta Remediation leverages a 100% organic microbial treatment to detoxify environments contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Their product employs naturally occurring bacteria that metabolize harmful pollutants into harmless byproducts. Their product line works by introducing naturally occurring, non–genetically modified microbes into the contaminated environment, where they metabolize hydrocarbons, salts, ammonia, or other pollutants and convert them into water and carbon dioxide. 

Natural process/organism used: Bacteria

Application: Breaking down petroleum or agrochemicals in soil  

10. Provectus 

Provectus offers microbial-based products that stimulate natural bacteria in soil and groundwater to break down chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and other organics. Their formulas often combine microbes with electron donors and control agents for optimized, long-term remediation.

Natural process/organism used: Bacteria 

Application: Stimulating bacteria to degrade contaminants 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How Does Bioremediation Work?

Bioremediation utilizes naturally occurring or introduced microbes to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater. These microbes consume pollutants—such as oil, solvents, and pesticides—transforming them into harmless substances like water and gases.

• In Situ vs. Ex Situ:
  
• In Situ: Treatment occurs directly at the contamination site.
  
• Ex Situ: Contaminated materials are excavated and treated elsewhere, often in controlled environments like tanks.

• Microbial Action: Certain microbes digest contaminants, converting them into non-toxic byproducts.
  
• Bioaugmentation: If native microbial populations are insufficient, specific microbes are added to enhance degradation.
  
• Optimal Conditions: Effective bioremediation requires suitable temperature, nutrients, and oxygen levels. Amendments like molasses, vegetable oil, or air may be introduced to create favorable conditions.

How Long Does Bioremediation Take?

The remediation timeline varies based on factors such as contaminant type, concentration, site conditions, and treatment method. Cleanup can span from several months to multiple years.

Is Bioremediation Safe?

• Safety: Bioremediation employs microbes that are naturally present in the environment and pose no threat to human health. Introduced microbes typically perish once contaminants are eliminated.
  
• Community Impact: The process is generally unobtrusive, with minimal disruption. Some increased activity, like truck traffic or equipment noise, may occur during amendment application.(Sems Publishing) 

What are the Pros and Cons of Bioremediation?

Advantages

• Eco-Friendly: Harnesses natural processes to detoxify environments.
  
• Cost-Effective: Often less expensive than traditional cleanup methods due to reduced equipment and labor needs.
  
• Onsite Treatment: It can often be done onsite, reducing risk and cost.
  
• Minimal Waste: Transforms harmful substances into benign end products, generating little to no secondary waste.
  

Disadvantages

• Time Consuming: It's often a long, slow process. 
• Not Effective for All Pollutants: Microbes are not always effective for all pollutants (for example, radioactive elements).
• Requires extensive monitoring & expertise: It should be executed accurately, otherwise more damage could be done to the environment.  

For more detailed information, you can access the full guide here: US Environmental Protection AGency's Community Guide to Bioremediation.

Conclusion

Nature offers many lessons for cleaning pollution, and bioremediation is a very effective method of reducing harm and restoring the environment after it has been polluted. However, it's only second prize, as preventing pollution in the first place is the ideal. 

If you're interested in seeing more bioremediation projects, explore the work of our Biomimicry Practitioners in Bioremediation here. 

You can read more in this collection of articles on Bioremediation by Science Direct.