Final answer:
Bioremediation is the process where microbes, like bacteria, are used to decompose harmful chemicals in the environment. By leveraging the natural metabolic processes of these microorganisms, bioremediation can effectively reduce pollution and clean up contaminants such as xenobiotics and oil spills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which microbes are used to carry out the decomposition of harmful chemicals in the environment is known as Bioremediation. This involves introducing microbes to contaminated areas to clean up toxic pollutants through their natural metabolic processes.
Microbial bioremediation uses the natural ability of microorganisms like bacteria to degrade, detoxify, or transform various pollutants, including xenobiotics, toxic metals and oxides, pesticides, as well as oil from spills.
For instance, bacteria like Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas can degrade complex organic compounds, while others, such as Alcanivorax borkumensis, can produce surfactants to help solubilize hydrophobic molecules found in oil, aiding in their decomposition.
Techniques of enhanced bioremediation may involve the addition of non-native microbes, specifically chosen or engineered for their ability to degrade certain contaminants.
The success of various bioremediation efforts, including the cleanup of oil spills and the removal of agricultural chemicals from soil and groundwater, highlight the vast potential of this eco-friendly and effective pollution abatement strategy.