Cold Region Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils: Do We Know Enough?

Abstract

Humankind is currently reliant on oil and fossil fuels for the majority of its energy requirements. Currently, crude oil extraction from the Polar Regions of the globe is in decline, as the required technology and the associated costs make the economics unfavorable. However, political instability and security issues, associated with some of the current major oil and gas production areas, as well as technological improvements may make oil extraction from the Polar Regions favorable. Against this background there is the constant threat that wherever there is oil extraction there is associated contamination and at present humankind's ability to deal with oil contamination in cold environments is restricted. In order to preserve what remains of these environments we therefore need to reconsider, adapt and improve our approaches to remediation in these cold environments.