Foreward

Bioremediation is unique among remediation technologies in that it degrades or transforms hazardous contaminants through the use, possibly with manipulative enhancement, of indigenous microorganisms. Bioremediation can be used in many ways degradation of concentrated organic contaminants near their source, as a secondary remediation strategy following physical or chemical methods, for sequestration of metals and radionuclides through microbially mediated transformation processes, and for remediating large plumes of dilute contaminants that are broadly dispersed in the environment. Thus, bioremediation has the potential to be one of the most cost-effective technologies for dealing with environmental remediation problems.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Environmental Management (EM) is responsible for the environmental management of 130 sites and facilities in 30 states and territories (DOE, 1995). Activities associated with nuclear weapons production have left many of these sites contaminated with complex mixtures of organic and radioactive chemicals. Bioremediation has the potential to be of great utility in the restoration of such sites, and the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) program, described in this document, focuses on such DOE problems. Results produced under NABIR, however, will also be applicable to the remediation of pollution caused by a wide variety of industrial activities across the nation.

DOE's Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) has a long tradition of supporting fundamental research in the life and environmental sciences. NABIR builds on OHER's foundation to develop a body of knowledge that will support environmental restoration of DOE's facilities. It is one part of the Office of Energy Research's (OER's) commitment to help address DOE's environmental management problems.

OHER is committed to ensuring that the scientific results from this program are used. To achieve this, we are committed to developing productive communication with the EM problem-holders, with regulatory agencies, and with the research community. Scientific research must be focused where it has the biggest potential to impact remediation activities. Scientific results must be communicated effectively and quickly. Ethical, legal, and social issues must be identified and dealt with to the satisfaction of the public and regulatory agencies. The NABIR program is designed to address all of the above.

Scientists and engineers from the DOE national laboratories worked together to prepare the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research program plan with help and advice from DOE staff, university researchers, and the private research and development (R&D) sector. The plan was written for several audiences academic and national laboratory researchers who will participate in the program, program managers from DOE and other federal agencies whose programs will benefit from these activities, and private-sector research organizations. We believe that this integrated, multidisciplinary program will provide the fundamental scientific and technological foundation needed to realize the potential of bioremediation.

Michelle S. Broido, Ph.D.
Acting Director
Environmental Sciences Division
Office of Health and Environmental Research

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