Abstract: The present invention is for bioremediation method and compositions for promoting activity in indigenous micro-organisms, causing the micro-organisms to degrade organic contaminants.

Abstract: This invention discloses the use of marker genes which do not involve antibiotics for environmental tracking of microorganisms. Such marker genes include chromogenic marker genes, and marker genes that allow a cell to proliferate on media containing a sole nutrient source which cannot be utilized by untransformed cells. Genetic transformation using such marker genes is used to create cells with two or more phenotypic traits that do not coexist in natural, untransformed cells. As one example, pseudonomad cells have been transformed with beta-galactosidase and lactose permease genes, to create cells which are (1) fluorescent, (2) able to hydrolyze X-gal or ONPG, and (3) capable of proliferation on lactose as a sole carbon source. Such cells are useful as soil inoculants, and their descendants can be tracked by using these characteristics. The marker genes may be placed under the control of inducible promoters.