Eco-briefs
BRAZIL: Bio-Detergent Cleans Up Oil Spills

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 22 (Tierramérica).- Researchers at the Microbiology Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro have developed a bio-detergent that eliminates oil residue resulting from spills.

The process begins with collecting bacteria capable of absorbing fossil fuels from the site of the oil spill. These microorganisms are multiplied in the laboratory and then taken to the site to be cleaned up.

“The aerobic fermentation of certain bacteria produces an organic compound that is able to penetrate and degrade the carbon chains in petroleum,” explained Alexandre Rosado, a member of the research team.

In order for the method to work, the contaminated site must be the habitat of microorganisms that have the capacity to digest petroleum. “In an experiment conducted in a mangrove forest, the recovery time was reduced from 30 years to three,” Rosado told Tierramérica.