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bioremediation

/ (ˌbaɪəorɪˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the use of plants to extract heavy metals from contaminated soils and waterAlso called: phytoremediation

Nearby words

  1. biopsychology,
  2. bioreactor,
  3. bioreagent,
  4. bioregion,
  5. bioregionalism,
  6. bioresearch,
  7. bioreserve,
  8. biorhythm,
  9. biorhythmics,
  10. bios
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Science definitions for bioremediation

bioremediation

[ bī′ō-rĭ-mē′dē-ā′shən ]

The use of biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi, or green plants, to remove or neutralize contaminants, as in polluted soil or water. Bacteria and fungi generally work by breaking down contaminants such as petroleum into less harmful substances. Plants can be used to aerate polluted soil and stimulate microbial action. They can also absorb contaminants such as salts and metals into their tissues, which are then harvested and disposed of.♦ The use of green plants to decontaminate polluted soil or water is called phytoremediation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for bioremediation

bioremediation

[ (beye-oh-ri-mee-dee-ay-shuhn) ]

The use of certain biological agents, especially bacteria, to remove or neutralize contaminants from polluted soil or water.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.