Remediation

Biological Remediation

Biological Remediation is an in-situ or ex-situ remedial technology in which enhancements to the natural processes of the environment speed the degradation of contaminants. These processes are able to convert or destroy harmful chemicals into harmless ones such as water and carbon dioxide.

Natural microbes which reside in the soil and groundwater, are often able to degrade certain harmful contaminants through digestive processes. In order for microbes to efficiently and completely degrade contaminants, proper conditions in the subsurface are required. In situations where natural conditions are not ideal, enhancements can be made. The following enhancements are most common:

• Addition of oxygen via pumped air or oxygen release compounds;
• Addition of nutrients for proper microbial digestive processes;
• Adjustment of temperature;
• Adjustment of soil or groundwater pH; and,
• Addition of specific microbes better suited to digest contaminants.

When enhancements to the contaminated area are not viable in-situ , contaminated water and soil can be removed and treated ex-situ . In such cases, control of the environmental conditions is greater, therefore allowing for more efficient degradation.

Nichols Environmental’s in-situ Treatment And Remediation (istar™) Technology is a patented delivery system allowing for the injection of the above inoculants in situations where complex, inaccessible or expensive contaminant problems are found. In Biological Remediation projects
Nichols Environmental is responsible for injection of proper inoculants into the contaminated soils and groundwater.

Nichols Environmental has been involved with many projects utilizing Biological Remediation.