This cleanup approach includes removal of groundwater or soil from its natural setting to permit for bioremediation
Correct Answer :
ex situ bioremediation
Solution :
The correct option is ex situ bioremediation.
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. Understanding the Terminology:
In environmental biotechnology and remediation, biological cleanup methods are broadly categorized based on where the treatment takes place relative to the contaminated site:
• "In situ" is a Latin phrase meaning "in its original place." Therefore, in situ bioremediation refers to treating the contaminated material directly at the site without moving it.
• "Ex situ" is a Latin phrase meaning "off-site" or "out of the original place." Therefore, ex situ bioremediation refers to methods where the contaminated medium (such as soil, sediment, or groundwater) is physically removed or excavated from its natural setting to be treated elsewhere.
2. Analyzing the Question:
The question describes a cleanup approach that "includes removal of groundwater or soil from its natural setting to permit for bioremediation."
Because the process explicitly requires the removal (excavation of soil or pumping of groundwater) from its original, natural setting before biological treatment can occur, it perfectly fits the definition of ex situ bioremediation.
3. Why Other Options are Incorrect:
• Bioaugmentation: This refers to the addition of specific archaea or bacterial cultures to speed up the rate of degradation of contaminants. It can be performed either in situ or ex situ, but the term itself does not define the removal of the medium.
• in situ bioremediation: As explained, this involves treating the contaminated material on-site without any excavation or removal.
• Phytoremediation: This is the direct use of green plants and their associated microorganisms to stabilize or reduce contamination in soil, sludges, sediments, or ground water. It is typically an in situ technique.
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