Iraq: How Microbes May Help Clean up Oil Spills in Iraq

Oct 24, 2019 | DownToEarth
View Original

The United Nations has rolled out a project to use naturally occuring soil bacteria to decontaminate land poisoned by oil spills in war-torn Iraq. The aim is to cultivate microbes that can naturally break down petroleum spills created due to conflicts.  The soil bacteria is fed nutrients from manure and bulking agents such as wood chips and water to thrive and then devour oil spills.