Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the army of itsy bitsy, teeny weeny living organisms at scientists’ command that can be used to clean up toxins and contaminants from land and sea alike (yup: like oil spills).

How do they work? By acting as a steroid for microbes who eat the bad stuff up, and leave behind things like water and CO2. If it’s too cold for the microbes to get a move on, they can do bioremediation offsite, or “ex situ,” if you want to be fancy about it.

While bioremediation can take a long time, like years, it’s environmentally friendly, not disruptive, and can be cheaper than having humans try to clean up their own mess.