The process of using microbes to treat areas of land or sea that have been contaminated by pesticides, oil or solvents is known as

Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to detoxify or degrade environmental contaminants like petroleum products, solvents, and pesticides into less harmful substances [4]. This technique can be applied to both land and sea environments. For instance, 'oilzapper' is a microbial mixture used to degrade oil-contaminated sites without leaving harmful residues [1]. The process often involves biostimulation, where nutrients are added to accelerate the metabolic activity of indigenous microbes, or bioaugmentation, where specific microbes are introduced [3]. In contrast, eutrophication refers to nutrient enrichment leading to algal blooms [2], while nitrification and ammonification are specific stages of the nitrogen cycle involving the conversion of ammonia to nitrates and organic nitrogen to ammonia, respectively [1]. Bioremediation is favored for being cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to traditional 'dig and dump' methods [4].

Sources

1. [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/bioremediation
2. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > bi Ex situ bioremediation techniques > p. 100
3. [3] https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2013-07/documents/nrt_fact_sheet_bioremediation_in_oil_spill_response.pdf
4. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 18: Ocean Acidification > ii. Eutrophication > p. 264