Bio-electrochemical systems for monitoring and enhancement of groundwater bioremediation

The success of clean-up efforts were fundamental in boosting interest in the potential applicability of bioremediation technologies. Land contamination is used to describe a broad range of soil and groundwater conditions where potentially toxic substances can cause harm to human health or the environment. In order to balance social, environmental, and economic approaches the concept of sustainable remediation has been developed to promote best practice when managing land and groundwater issues. The lines of evidence for verification should also be based around how the pollutant linkage is broken and should be monitored from the start of the remediation process. Bio-electrochemical systems are engineered devices that transfer electrons from an anode to a cathode using microbial activity. The biogeophysics discipline offers a wide range of techniques that will be of use to biotechnologists who need to monitor the effectiveness of bio-electrochemical systems beyond the lab and into the field.