Studies on the Biodegradation of Ordnance-Related Hazardous Waste, Phase I.

Bioprocessing or biodegradation often provides a low-technology, permanent, inexpensive, effective, nonpolluting alternative for land reclamation and treatment of industrial effluents. Microbes have evolved or can be adapted to degrade virtually any toxic organic chemical. Hydrocarbons, a major class of military wastes, are particularly susceptible to biodegradation. Biodegradation is effective over a range of environmental conditions, and for a wide variety of contaminants. Often, bioprocesses can be integrated with conventional technologies, resulting in efficient, multicomponent systems.