Application of Biological Methods in the Remediation of Oil Polluted Environment in Nigeria
David N. Ogbonna *
Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Application of Biological Methods in the Remediation of Oil Polluted Environment in Nigeria
The application of biological methods have been used to remediate oil contaminated land, to promote health and safety of our environments. These biological processes of remediation may be affected by use of single or a combination of approaches. These processes include to degrade, break down, transform, and/or essentially remove contaminants or impairments of quality from soil and water, otherwise known as bioremediation. Bioremediation is a natural process which relies on bacteria, fungi, and plants to alter contaminants as these organisms carry out their normal life functions. Metabolic processes of these organisms are capable of using chemical contaminants as an energy source, rendering the contaminants harmless or less toxic products in most cases. This paper is a review of the biological methods used in the remediation process.
Keywords: Bioremediation, microorganisms, soil, water, oil pollution, biological methods