What does “bioremediation” involve?

Bioremediation involves the use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and plants, to remove or neutralize pollutants from the environment. This natural process harnesses the metabolic activities of these organisms to break down hazardous substances into less harmful or non-toxic forms. The effectiveness of bioremediation can depend on various factors, including the type of pollutant, environmental conditions, and the specific organisms involved.

For example, certain bacteria can degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, making bioremediation a useful technique for cleaning up oil spills. In addition to microorganisms, plants can also play a role in bioremediation through processes like phytoremediation, where plants absorb contaminants through their roots and either store or degrade them.

The other choices relate to different methods and approaches for dealing with pollution. Using chemical agents pertains to technological interventions that may have adverse effects on the environment or human health. Waste incineration is a method that involves burning waste to reduce its volume and can produce harmful emissions. The development of non-living solutions to contamination might involve physical or chemical processes that lack the biological component, which differentiates it from bioremediation’s biological basis. Thus, bioremediation distinctly focuses on leveraging biological mechanisms to address