The soil and water are separated after treatment. Solid-phase treatment is another treatment where contaminated soils are placed in a treatment bed where nutrients, moisture and oxygen are added for decomposition to take place. Many waste sites contain complex mixtures and need a combination of treatment techniques. It usually does not produce toxic by-products. Bioremediation destroys the target chemicals.
Bioremediation is usually less expensive than other technologies.
It can be used where the problem is located. More research is needed for locations with complex mixtures of contaminants. Clean up using bioremediation often takes longer than other actions such as incineration. The process must be carefully monitored to ensure the effectiveness. This describes the action of bacteria in biodegradation at the Stony Brook Sewage Treatment Plant.