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Bioremediation and Degradation of Industrial Pollutants

Code: 43333
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Biological and Environmental Engineering OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Ernest Marco Urrea
Email :
ernest.marco@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are required.

Objectives

The main goal is to understand the potential and mechanisms used by microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants, their application in contaminated sites and the tools for monitoring the success of bioremediation.

Learning outcomes

  • CA23 (Compile, adapt and/or combine concepts, strategies, methodologies and/or instruments in a consistent, systematic and integrated manner in order to address the goals of the project and problems raised therein.) Compile, adapt and/or combine concepts, strategies, methodologies and/or instruments in a consistent, systematic and integrated manner in order to address the goals of the project and problems raised therein.
  • CA24 (Summarise and interpret, in a logical and reasoned manner, information from biodegradability or molecular biology studies.) Summarise and interpret, in a logical and reasoned manner, information from biodegradability or molecular biology studies.
  • KA22 (Interpret the basic concepts of applied microbiology for the design of a biological process.) Interpret the basic concepts of applied microbiology for the design of a biological process.
  • KA23 (Recognise the difference between biodegradation, degradation, mineralisation and other related concepts.) Recognise the difference between biodegradation, degradation, mineralisation and other related concepts.
  • SA24 (Differentiate the role of microorganisms in biodegradation processes, their role as bioindicators and their potential for the implementation of clean technologies.) Differentiate the role of microorganisms in biodegradation processes, their role as bioindicators and their potential for the implementation of clean technologies.
  • SA25 (Identify the factors that determine the effectiveness of a biodegradation process.) Identify the factors that determine the effectiveness of a biodegradation process.

Contents

This module consists of 7 topics:

  1. Definitions and concepts
  2. Contaminated soil management
  3. Requirements for bioremediation
  4. Strategies for implementing bioremediation
  5. Field implementation
  6. Methods for monitoring bioremediation processes
  7. Bioremediation 2.0


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theory classes 95 3.8 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25
Case study 37 1.48 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25
Problem-based learning 15 0.6 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25

The subject is developed through theory classes, problems and oral presentations of real cases.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Oral presentation 25% 1 0.04 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25
Case study 25% 2 0.08 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25
Exam 50% 0 0 CA23, CA24, KA22, KA23, SA24, SA25

Evaluation activities include:

- Case study (25%)

- Oral presentation (25%)

- Exam (50%)

The minimum score to pass the course is 5 out of 10.

Retaking Final test: There will be a final test for those students who have not passed the continuous assessment. However, the folloing activities cannot be re-evaluated:

- Case study (25%)

- Oral presentation (25%)

Students have the right to the revision of the final grades of their evaluation activities. The date for reviewing the qualifications will be informed in a timely manner through the Moodle platform.

A distinction can be given to students who score 9.0 or higher in a subject. The number of distinctions awarded to students cannot be higher than 5% of the total number of students enrolled in a subject. If the total number of students is lower than 20 then only one distinction will be awarded.

The returning date of the corrected reports will be informed in a timely manner, so that students can to review the correction and improve the aspects that are necessary for the following reports.

Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures, and in accordance with current academic regulations, any irregularities committed by the student that could lead to a variation of the score of an evaluation act will be scored with a zero. Therefore, copying or allowing to copy a practice or any other evaluation activity will imply a zero (0) in the attitude note and, therefore, suspend the course.

Repeaters are obliged to pass the full course.

Bibliography

  • Adrian, L., & Löffler, F. (2016). Organohalide-respiring bacteria. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN: 978-3-662-49873-6.

  • Aelion, C. M., Höhener, P., Hunkeler, D., & Aravena, R. (Eds.). (2010). Environmental isotopes in biodegradation and bioremediation. CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1-56670-661-2.

  • Alvarez, P. J. J., & Illman, W. A. (2006). Bioremediation and natural attenuation: Process fundamentals and mathematical models. Wiley-Interscience. ISBN: 978-0-471-44734-7.

  • Neilson, A. H., & Allard, A. S. (2007). Environmental degradation and transformation of organic chemicals (2nd ed.). CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1-56670-618-6.

  • Stegmann, R., Brunner, G., Calmano, W., & Matz, G. (Eds.). (2001). Treatment of contaminated soil. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-540-66782-3.

  • Stroo, H. F., Leeson, A., & Ward, C. H. (2013). Bioaugmentation for groundwater remediation. Springer. ISBN: 978-1-4614-5487-0.

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). A guide for assessing biodegradation and source identification of organic groundwater contaminants using compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?LAB=NRMRL&dirEntryID=202171 

Software

No specific software is required.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon