Bioremediation Quiz

What is bioremediation?

• Use of chemicals to clean up contaminated soil

• Use of microbes to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater

• Use of machines to remove contaminants

• Use of plants to absorb contaminants

What do microbes use as a source of food and energy in bioremediation?

• Sunlight

• Contaminants

• Water

• Air

What is bioaugmentation?

• Adding nutrients to soil

• Adding microbes to soil and groundwater

• Removing contaminants from soil

• Using plants to clean soil

What conditions are necessary for bioremediation to be effective?

• High temperature and low nutrients

• Right temperature, nutrients, and food

• Low temperature and high oxygen

• High pressure and low light

What might be done if the soil is too cold for microbes to be active?

• Add more water

• Heat the soil

• Remove the soil

• Add more contaminants

What is an ex situ treatment?

• Treating soil in place

• Treating soil aboveground or in tanks

• Adding microbes directly to soil

• Using plants to absorb contaminants

How long might it take to bioremediate a site?

• A few days

• A few weeks

• A few months or even years

• A few hours

What happens to contaminants during bioremediation?

• They are converted into gases and water

• They are absorbed by plants

• They are removed by machines

• They are left unchanged

What is a common method to ensure bioremediation is working?

• Visual inspection

• Testing samples of soil and groundwater

• Measuring air quality

• Counting microbes

What is a potential effect of bioremediation on the community?

• Increased noise pollution

• Increased truck traffic

• Increased air pollution

• Increased water usage