Question Details

This bioremediation technique includes mixing contaminated water and soil, fertilizers and carbon dioxide in a bioreactor to stimulate biodegradation

Options

A

Composting

B

Slurry-phase bioremediation

C

In situ hybridization

D

Biopile treatment

Correct Answer :

Slurry-phase bioremediation

Solution :

The correct option is Slurry-phase bioremediation.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Bioremediation Setup:
The question describes a process where contaminated soil and water are mixed together along with nutrients (fertilizers) and carbon dioxide inside a controlled containment vessel known as a bioreactor. This mixing creates a suspended, watery mixture called a slurry.

2. Analyzing the Options:
Slurry-phase bioremediation: This is an ex-situ bioremediation technology where contaminated soil is excavated and mixed with water and other additives (like fertilizers and oxygen/carbon dioxide) in a bioreactor to form a slurry. The intensive mixing keeps the microorganisms in contact with the contaminants, greatly accelerating biodegradation.
Composting: This involves piling contaminated soil with non-hazardous organic bulking agents (like straw or manure) to promote thermophilic microbial growth, but it does not involve creating a water-soil slurry in a bioreactor.
In situ hybridization: This is a molecular biology technique used to detect specific nucleic acid sequences within cells or tissues, not a bioremediation method.
Biopile treatment: This involves piling excavated contaminated soil into heaps and venting them to stimulate aerobic microbial activity, but it does not mix the soil into a liquid slurry within a bioreactor.

3. Conclusion:
Because the technique specifically involves mixing soil, water, and nutrients into a bioreactor to stimulate biodegradation in a slurry form, it is classified as Slurry-phase bioremediation.

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