Abstract
The accumulation of xenobiotic compounds in the environment has profound physical, social, economic, and political effects. Substances, such as organochlorides (PCBs, PCDDs, DDT), have been found harmful to humans. And thus cost-effective and safe means for their destruction are being sought. Bioremediation utilizing microorganisms should prove useful in this regard, being cost-effective and safe. The biodegradation of organochlorides pollutants under laboratory conditions has been extensively studied but successful field trials are few. The results obtained in laboratories are not adequate for directly predicting field performance, due in part to limited chance of microorganism contact with organochloride pollutants in heterogeneous soil where insoluble organochloride pollutants are firmly embedded. The bioavailability of organochloride pollutants in soil should thus be improved so as to accelerate biodegradation.
Methods to increase bioavailability would render bioremediation a recognized effective means for treating soil pollution in the near future.
