Bioremediation: an important alternative for soil and industrial wastes clean-up

Industrial and environmental biotechnology are going to new paths, resulting in processes with "clean technologies", with the maximum production and the less residues. Technologies of remediation and bioremediation are continuously being improved using genetically modified microorganisms or those naturally occurring, to clean residues and contaminated areas from toxic organics. Bioremediation of soils, water and marine environments has many advantages but at the same time it is a challenge for the researchers and engineers. Consequently, it is extremely important to carry out feasibility study based on pilot-testing before starting a remediation project in order to determine the best conditions for the process. The article presents a brief review of bioremediation including the description of the different methods applied to soil and industrial wastes, and, finally, some experiences of solid-state fermentation in relation to bioremediation.