Oil-eating microbes located in Gulf Coast sand offer a potential solution to the B-P oil spill.
These microbes occur naturally in the Gulf Coast and have evolved over centuries to consume the oil that naturally seeps out of the fissures of the ocean floor.
B-P has so far resisted the use of these microbes, focusing instead on chemical dispersants and other technologies.
However, their present clean-up methods have had little success, causing scientists to call for more creative and effective solutions.
Oppenheimer Biotechnology based out of Austin, Texas specializes in a process called “Bioremediation” where microorganisms are used to remove or neutralize contaminants.
They have a twenty-year track record with various clean-up projects ranging from fuel spills, to oil spills, to T-C-E and P-C-E chlorinated hydrocarbons.
We spoke with Jen Neve, President and Chief Scientist with Oppenheimer Biotechnology.
KBOO’s James Dixon brings us the interview…
- KBOO