ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the details necessary to understand the decisions that must be made during the design and operation of an in situ bioremediation project. An in situ bioremediation project is based upon biochemical reactions occurring in a geological setting. Although bacteria are responsible for the biochemical reactions, their natural degradation rate is limited by chemical and physical factors. The large amount of time and money that has been spent on in situ projects has gone toward trying to determine whether the bacteria that are necessary for the degradation are present at the site or if specialized bacteria must be imported. Oxygen is the main rate limiting factor in organic chemical degradation. The bacteria need large amounts of oxygen to produce energy. Many in situ projects have required oxygen without nutrient addition.
