Microorganisms and Organic Pollutants

These flashcards cover key concepts in the study of microorganisms and their role in the degradation of organic pollutants, providing definitions of critical terms to aid in exam preparation.

Biodegradation

The breakdown of organic contaminants that occurs due to microbial activity.

Mineralization

The complete oxidation of the contaminant to carbon dioxide and water.

Microbial Enzymes

Intracellular and extracellular enzymes that catalyze degradation pathways of organic contaminants.

BIOAVAILABILITY

The portion of the pollutant that the microbe 'sees,' determined by factors like solubility and sorption.

Cometabolism

Partial oxidation due to the action of non-specific enzymes without energy gain from the process.

Biostimulation

Modification of environmental conditions, such as the addition of nutrients or terminal electron acceptors, to enhance remediation.

Bioaugmentation

Introduction of specific microbes into a contaminated site to enhance the biological activity of indigenous populations.

Phytoremediation

The direct use of living plants for in situ remediation of contaminated environments.

Aerobic Degradation

Decomposition of organic compounds in the presence of oxygen, typically resulting in quicker degradation rates.

Halogenation

The introduction of halogen atoms to a compound which generally decreases its biodegradability.