E-ISSN 2281-4612
ISSN 2281-3993
Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy
Vol 2 No 13
December 2013
125
Factors that Determine Bioremediation of
Organic Compounds in the Soil
Asira, Enim Enim
Department of Chemistry, College of Education
Akamkpa - Cross River State, Nigeria
Doi:10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n13p125
Abstract
Man’s quest for technological advancement and the need to meet food supply for growth have
distorted the natural balance of the soil constituents. Year round, waste products find their way to
the soil from natural and anthropogenic sources. When these waste products enter the soil; they
are subjected to physical, chemical and biological processes that ultimately determine their fate
and transport characteristics. Organic compounds are among these waste products. Knowledge of
factors that determine fate of organic compounds in the soil became quite apt to know the
condition under which biodegradation processes can be effective. In this study therefore various
factors have been discussed. Also, requisite information about the design of bioremediation
system for organic compounds had been explained to allow for better understanding of potential
toxicity of the organic compound to micro organisms, nutrient requirement for biodegradation
activity and the compatibility of site geochemistry with nutrient solution proposed for addition.
Keywords: Bioremediation, determine, factors, Organic compounds, and soil.
1. Introduction
The production soil is made up of 5% organic matter. The biological active components of the
organic soil include polysaccharide, amino acids, nucleotide, organic sulphur and phosphorus
compounds. These organic matter determines the productivity of the soil, it serves as a source of
food for micro organisms and influences the physical properties of the soil. However, due to the
excesses of human activities on the soil, the once balanced natural equilibrium of the soil had been
heavily bombed by the production and discharge of waste organic compounds are (classified into
(i) conventional pollutants (aldehydes, ketone, alcohols) (2) Aromatic hydrocarbons (3polynuclear
aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and (4) synthetic organic compounds (organo pesticides, fungicides
and herbicides) and organic fertilizers. The biodegradation of these organic pollutants in soil is
depended on the microbial transformation in the soil, the microbial ecology of the soil,
environmental factors and the rate of biological reaction kinetics and substances required for
bioremediation.
2. Aim
The major aim of this study is to identify the various factors that influence the bioremediation of
organic pollutants in the soil.
3. Specific Objectives
To provide information for the design of bioremediation system and information to indicate whether
or not bioremediation is an important treatment technology
