Research Product

The use of specially selected microorganisms to enhance bioremediation efforts has proved effective in a number of applications, especially when combined with bioreactor systems. In our studies, the successful use of such isolates for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with organic wood preservatives (e.g., creosote and pentachlorophenol [PCP]) has resulted in the opportunity to employ these technologies at similarly contaminated sites throughout the world. However, prior to world-wide dissemination of bioremediation strategies, concerns regarding the introduction of foreign biota needed to be addressed. Therefore, we embarked on a research program to ascertain: 1) whether microorganisms similar to those used in our bioremediation strategies could be found in other soils, and, 2) if so, whether the introduction of these isolates offers any advantages to the bioremediation system.