ABSTRACT
The contamination of soil and ground water at a hazardous waste facility presents serious, far-reaching environmental health problems. Demonstration of acute and chronic compound toxicity to human and nonhuman population, coupled with compound persistence to physical, chemical, and biological action makes the task of developing innovative treatment alternatives even more important to the engineering and scientific community. A key parameter to selecting a treatment technology is cost-effectiveness. Currently, the biological treatment process is regarded as one of the least expensive technologies available. Advances in genetic research, process techniques, and innovative modifications to conventional biological processes have contributed to the success of biodegradation as a viable treatment alternative.
