Bioremediation is one of the many techniques that can be used to manage drilling fluid. The method utilizes living organisms, such as bacteria and microbes, to remove contaminants from used drilling mud. The mud generated from trenchless drilling operations pose an environmental challenge when it comes to safe disposal.
Bioremediation can be carried out in the reserve pit using naturally occurring microorganisms that can use the contaminants as nutrients.
Bioremediation works on the principle that certain microbes use contaminants, such as solvents, additives, hydrocarbons and oils, as a source of nutrition and energy. The microbes break down the contaminants into water, carbon dioxide and other harmless gasses. For bioremediation to be effective, the right temperature and nutrition should be available for the microbes to act on.
Additives can be added to aid in bioremediation if favorable conditions are not available. Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly method as it utilizes natural processes.