Bioavailability and Its Importance to Bioremediation

The high cost of remediation has driven interest in developing a better understanding of bioremediation and the application of bioremediation technologies. The success of any bioremediation technology depends on a number of factors including site characteristics, environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH, electron acceptor, nutrients), the nature of the contamination, whether appropriate biodegradative genes are present, and the bioavailability of the contaminants to degrading microorganisms within the site. To date, biodegradation research has focused primarily on the impact of environmental factors and biodegradative capacity. However, while inherent degradative capability and suitable environmental factors are certainly necessary, the importance of bioavailability to biodegradation also needs to be addressed. This is especially true for subsurface environments, where bioavailability may often control the occurrence and rate of biodegradation.