Composting
Composting is one of the oldest methods of bioremediation. It is turning a waste product into something actually beneficial for the environment. Below is a picture of a "compost pile." As it appears, it is simply a pile of rotting kitchen scraps. However, there are millions of microorganisms munching away on the waste, breaking it down so that the nutrients can be reabsorbed into the soil, making them available for plants. Once the scraps are completely broken down, this nutrient rich soil can added to gardens as a fertilizer. No genetic modifications are necessary for this type of bioremediation. The organisms needed are already present in the soil.
(Picture courtesy of Larson, 2001)
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This website was created by
Kevin Saunders, Helen Nguyen, and Chris Wrobleski
as part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College.
Send questions or comments to chwrobleski@davidson.edu.
© Copyright 2004 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035.