Use of biological organisms and methods to restore contaminated land, especially the addition of bacteria and other organisms that consume or neutralize contaminants in the soil

It involves enhancing or controlling the biological processes to reduce the contaminants of concern to target levels.

 

Crownbit is an expert in soil and water remediation using modern technologies accepted by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and also meeting the EMA, DWAF and EPA specifications.

We provide assessment of treatment methods planning and design of biological treatment plants which are aerobic, anaerobic and mixed solutions with monitoring schemes. 

 

 

Our services include land/soil farming, polluted ground water recovery, on- site bio-remediation and off-site bio-remediation.

 

Bio-Remediation Process

Microorganisms destroy organic contaminants in the process of metabolism. Moisture and nutrients are first added to the contaminated soil. The soils are then put through the Allu bucket to aerate and mix the soils.

 

A few aspects must be considered before bioremediation is started. Firstly, the contaminant must be biodegradable and the soil must not be too toxic enough to limit the process. The principle of the process is that organic compounds are broken down naturally in the environment by degrading microbes.  Bioremediation is the process of accelerating the natural process by stimulating the growth of these degrading microbes. 

 

 

Stimulating microbes is generally done by controlling some / all of the following-

 

• Carbon dioxide concentration (the lower the better)

• Oxygen concentration (the higher the better)

• Temperature (the higher the better)

• Nutrient concentrations (balanced)

• Moisture content (balanced)

• Microbe types (e.g. introducing hydrocarbon specific degrading microbes)

• Microbe number (whilst the above stimulates growth, we often need to add more to boost the process.)

 

 Benefits of Bio-Remediation

• It is a non-disruptive method of soil remediation

• The process makes the soil favourable for soil microbes

• it is a significantly more economical option to straight disposal

• it helps prevent groundwater pollution

• helps to inactivate pollutants thus preventing plant metal uptake

 

Effects of not carring out Soil Bio-Remediation

 

• Results in decline in plant growth

• Continued decline in plant growth reduces yield which eventually leads to food insecurity.

• Plants growing on heavy metal polluted soils show a reduction in growth due to changes in their physiological and biochemical activities.

• Soils polluted by waste lubricant oils may affect the hydrosphere compromising the quality of drinking water resources and threatening the aquatic ecosystems.

• When organic chemical waste products penetrate and contaminate the soil, they are harmful and even toxic to the growth and development of plants and animals.

• Soils not remediated can be a source of long of long term water and air pollution.

• They are also a danger to the health of human beings.               

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• It is an effective method of treating heavy it is a widely accepted method metal polluted soils

• it is an environmentally friendly approach because it is achieved via natural processes.

• It is suitable for the establishment/reestablishment of crops on treated soils.