US Oppenheimer Biotechnology

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KBOO
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Air date: 
Thu, 07/15/2010 - 12:00am
US Oppenheimer Biotechnology

Oil-eating microbes located in Gulf Coast sand offer a potential solution to the B-P oil spill.

These microbes occur naturally in the Gulf Coast and have evolved over centuries to consume the oil that naturally seeps out of the fissures of the ocean  floor.

B-P has so far resisted the use of these microbes, focusing instead on chemical dispersants and other technologies.

However, their present clean-up methods have had little success, causing scientists to call for more creative and effective solutions.

Oppenheimer Biotechnology based out of Austin, Texas specializes in a process called “Bioremediation” where microorganisms are used to remove or neutralize contaminants.

They have a twenty-year track record with various clean-up projects ranging from fuel spills, to oil spills, to T-C-E and P-C-E chlorinated hydrocarbons.      

We spoke with Jen Neve, President and Chief Scientist with Oppenheimer Biotechnology.

KBOO’s James Dixon brings us the interview…

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