Abstract: A process for treatment of aqueous effluents that contain at least methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or methyl-tert-amyl ether (TAME) so as to reduce the concentration of said ether is described, characterized in that a Mycobacterium austroafricanum I-2562 bacterium is grown under aerobic conditions in the presence of a growth substrate that contains said ether, and said ether is degraded by said bacterium down to the final degradation products, carbon dioxide and water. The results are improved in the presence of yeast extract.

Abstract: A novel marine microorganism (Pseudomonas CH07) capable of degrading different congeners namely coplanar, sterically hindered and other chlorobiphenyls present in a technical grade PCBs (Clophen A-50); the aerobic bacterial strain, identified as Pseudomonas CH07 isolated from coastal zone of Arabian sea near Goa, India subjected to intense anthropogenic activity is shown to degrade PCBs of chlorine content (4-7 chlorine atoms per biphenyl).

Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing creosote using a fungal inoculum is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one creosote-tolerant fungi, a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the creosote. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

Abstract: A microbial process is provided for selective cleavage of only organic C—N bonds while leaving C—C bonds intact which may be used for reducing the nitrogen content of nitrogen-containing organic carbonaceous materials. Microorganisms of Pseudomonas ayucida have been found which have the ability of selective cleavage of organic C—N bonds. A particularly preferred microorganism is Pseudomonas ayucida strain ATCC No PTA-806. Other microorganisms useful in the cleavage of organic C—N bonds are Aneurinibacillus sp, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Yokenella sp. and Pseudomonas nitroreducens.

Abstract: A method of using a paddle in the accelerated remediation of a contaminated material and a paddle, therefore, are provided.

Abstract: A reusable sponge or foam made of a polymer such as polyurethane is prepared containing a plurality of different enzymes or a cross-linked complex of the plurality of enzymes for detoxification of a diverse array of hazardous chemicals such as organophosphorus and/or organosulfur compounds. The plurality of enzymes include enzymes selected from acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, triesterase, pseudocholinesterase, choline oxidase, peroxidase, organophosphate hydrolase, phosphotriesterase, paraoxonase and laccase. A preferred mixture of enzymes contains organophosphate hydrolase and acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase. The sponge or foam may additionally contain carbon, an enzyme reactivation compound and/or an indicator for measuring capacity for detoxification. The indicator can be fluorescent, chemiluminescent or visible chromogen or an electrode, and be encapsulated in a liposome or crushable packet.

Abstract: A contaminant eco-remedy (1) has a colloid-active detergent with colloidal microspheres of a predetermined particle size in an alkanol amide. The alkanol amide is prepared by condensation of a predetermined vegetable fatty acid with an alkanol amine, ethanol, distilled water, and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid in predetermined proportions. The vegetable fatty acid has a saponification value of about 271 and an acid value of about 269. The colloid-active detergent is diluted with specific concentration of water, nutrients and oxidative agents for degradation and enhanced bioremediation of organic compounds that are oxidation-reduced to non-contaminant mixtures containing nitrates, carbon dioxide, oxygen and water. From organic contaminants containing chlorine and sulphur groups, the non-contaminant mixtures may contain HCL, NACL, H2S, and SO3.

Abstract: The invention includes an isolated bacterium and a consortium of microorganisms including an isolated bacterium of the invention, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes a recombinant microorganism, such as a bacterium, a yeast or a bacteriophage, transfected with nucleic acid from an isolated bacterium of the invention, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes an isolated bacterium, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a chlorobenzoate. In addition, the invention includes an isolated nucleic acid and recombinant enzymes useful in the degradation of a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes methods for the bioremediation or enhancement of the bioremediation of a PCB-contaminated environment using the bacteria or microorganisms of the invention.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of geothermal residue includes contacting the pigmented amorphous silica-containing component with a depigmenting reagent one or more times to depigment the silica and produce a mixture containing depigmented amorphous silica and depigmenting reagent containing pigment material; separating the depigmented amorphous silica and from the depigmenting reagent to yield depigmented amorphous silica. Before or after the depigmenting contacting, the geothermal residue or depigmented silica can be treated with a metal solubilizing agent to produce another mixture containing pigmented or unpigmented amorphous silica-containing component and a solubilized metal-containing component; separating these components from each other to produce an amorphous silica product substantially devoid of metals and at least partially devoid of pigment. The amorphous silica product can be neutralized and thereafter dried at a temperature from about 25° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A novel marine microorganism (Pseudomonas CH07) capable of degrading different congeners namely coplanar, sterically hindered and other chlorobiphenyls present in a technical grade PCBs (Clophen A-50); the aerobic bacterial strain, identified as Pseudomonas CH07 isolated from coastal zone of Arabian sea near Goa, India subjected to intense anthropogenic activity is shown to degrade PCBs of chlorine content (4-7 chlorine atoms per biphenyl).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating sulfur-containing pollutants with a hydrocarbon that is used to stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The hydrocarbon is preferably an alkane such as butane. The sulfur-containing pollutant may comprise sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, disulfides, mercaptans, alkanesulfonates, dialkyl sulfides, thiosulfate, thiofurans, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, thioureas, thiols, thiophenols, thioethers, thiophene, tetrathionate, dithionite, dialkyl disulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfolanes, sulfonic acid, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, sulfonic esters, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate esters, sulfur dioxide and any other sour gases, elemental sulfur and any other sulfur-containing material considered to be a contaminant or pollutant.

Abstract: The present application relates to a diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase from Loligo vulgaris, and to the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences encoding the enzyme. Also provided are vectors which contain the DNA sequence according to the invention, and to cells transformed with the base sequence according to the invention. Finally, the present application also provides a method for the production of the diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase and various types of use and areas of employment of the diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase, in particular the decontamination of contaminated habitats, the production of medicinal products for treating or detoxifying humans and animals, the impregnation of clothing and the use in analyses.

Abstract: A method for degrading an undesirable ether-based environmental contaminant by contacting the ether with a hydrogen-oxidizing microorganism to convert the ether to innocuous compounds which are environmentally acceptable, including treating the ether-based contaminants in situ or removing them from the contaminated site for treatment in a bioreactor, examples of the ether-based contaminants being tertiary butyl ethers of the type utilized as gasoline oxygenates, for example, methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, and methyl tert-amyl ether, and also ether solvents, for example, tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A process for treating manure using anaerobic digestion includes introducing manure into a mixing vessel containing a digester liquid and agitating and filtering a slurry formed therefrom to remove substantially all water insoluble solids, thereby leaving a liquid containing ammonia and reactive organic materials. The liquid is then heated and ammonia is removed therefrom to produce a substantially ammonia-free liquid containing reactive organic materials, which is cooled and placed in a digester containing anaerobic bacteria to convert the reactive organic materials in the liquid to biogas and to produce a digester liquid. The biogas is withdrawn and utilized to generate electricity, and a small amount of the digester liquid is withdrawn from the digester and recycled back to the mixing vessel. The water insoluble solids and ammonia removed during the process may be converted to ruminant animal feed and concentrated liquid fertilizer, respectively.

Abstract: A novel microorganism which has the following characteristics: morphology (coccoid, rod shaped); gram staining (+), spore forming (−), motility (−), relationship to oxygen (aerobic), oxidase test (−), catalase test (+), resistance to acid (−), rod-coccus cycle (+), and GC content of DNA (mole%) (73 (by HPLC)), and which can decompose chloroethylene. The microorganism can decompose in 24 hours 30 ppm of trichloroethylene, and decompose of 100 ppm of trichloroethylene by 50%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the in situ purification of aquifers contaminated with ethers and/or alcohols using a bacterial culture, a method of delivering the culture to the subsurface, and an oxygen delivery system.

Abstract: A treatment media is provided capable of acting upon at least one chemical contaminant in an aqueous composition and assisting in the decomposition thereof. The treatment media is a biologically activated organically modified material which includes a mineral based substrate, selected from the group consisting of clays, clay analogs, synthetic resins, zeolites and mixtures thereof. The mineral based substrate is treated with an organic modification compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary amines, pyridinium compounds, phosphonium amines, and mixtures thereof. At least one strain of bacteria is engrafted to the mineral-based substrate, the bacteria being capable of facilitating decomposition of the chemical contaminant. Quaternary amines used provide enhancement of bacterial colonies and do not adversely effect bacterial activity when employed as the organic modification compound to treat the mineral based substrate.

Abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are found in contaminated soils and groundwater and are a large class of compounds for which treatment by bioremediation is sought. Accordingly, indigenous organisms that can degrade polyaromatic hydrocarbon are needed. Presented are strains of the Paenibacillus genus that degrade low molecule weight polyaromatic, and, in the presence of phenanthrene, high molecular weight polyaromatic hydrocarbons. These bacteria strains are unique among PAH-degrading bacterial strains because they form endospores and therefore can survive adverse environmental conditions. Among the strains presented are several from “P. naphthalenovorans”, a newly described species and also P. validus. Also presented are compositions for bioremediation comprising the bacterial strains of the invention and a method for isolating the strains and a method for using the strains for bioremediation.

Abstract: The present invention particularly relates to a process of removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons phenanthrene and chrysene from wastewater and other contaminated sites by using a white-rot fungus Flavodon flavus (K 1) Ryv., which has been deposited at Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (NRRL), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604, USA bearing accession number NRRL 30302 on Mar. 10, 2000.

Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) using a fungal inoculurn is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one CCA-tolerant fungi, a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the CCA. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

Abstract: Hydrocarbonaceous contaminants are bioremediated using corn material, such as corn waste and corn oil. The hydrocarbonaceous contaminant is contacted with the corn material in the presence of nutrients and bacteria effective for bioremediation. The contaminant is typically on a solid substrate, admixed with particulate solids or on water. Corn oil is typically applied to large area spills on water, beaches, solid and rocky ground and the like by spraying, while solid corn material is typically used for all other applications and mixed in with the contaminant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which alkanes such as butane are used to degrade pollutants such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CT) at contaminated sites. In a preferred embodiment, pollutant concentrations are reduced by injecting a butane substrate into a contaminated area to stimulate the growth of anaerobic butane-utilizing bacteria which degrade the pollutants. In addition to the anaerobic treatment, the area may optionally be treated aerobically by switching from anaerobic to aerobic conditions.

Abstract: A Rhodobacter species and variants thereof are provided for odor remediation of anaerobic livestock waste lagoons. Also provided are vector systems and genetically reconstituted Rhodobacter PS9 cells, and related methods for biomass production in anaerobic livestock waste lagoons.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated Penicillium strain capable of eliminating a nitroaromatic compound by mineralization and a microbiological method for eliminating a nitroaromatic compound present in a solution or in a soil.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA is constructed by using a toluene monooxygenase gene isolated from Ralstonia eutropha strain TB64 and employed to provide the transformant which can express toluene monooxygenase useful for cleaning of aqueous media such as drain and waste water containing halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds or aromatic compounds, for remediation of soil polluted with such compounds, and cleaning of air (gas phase) polluted with volatile organic chlorine compounds.

Abstract: Bioremediation methods and kits for degrading environmental contaminants, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, in a sample containing microorganisms uses at least one slow release compound having at least one hydrolyzable organic group capable of forming at least one alcohol, at least one organic acid, or a combination thereof, upon hydrolysis. The hydrolysis occurs over an extended period of time to provide alcohols and/or organic acids, which are used by the microorganisms to degrade the environmental contaminants.

Abstract: The heated support can be manufactured by subjecting an immobilized microorganism support in which activated sludge is immobilized by entrapment to heat treatment. Thus, it is possible to support particular microorganisms at high concentrations in an immobilizing material without pure culturing of the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel white rot lignin-modifying fungus Flavodon flavus deposited at National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India, at accession No. 312 which is being deposited in ATCC with accession No. ___, and a process for removal of dyes in dye-containing waste-waters and soil, said process comprising the steps of growing the white rot fungus Flavodon flavus in a nutrient medium containing assimilable carbon and nitrogen source, having optimal salinity up to 15 parts per thousand for a period of about 4-10 days, contacting biomass with effluents containing dyes for a period of at least 5 days followed by separation of the fungal biomass from the effluents by conventional methods to render the effluents substantially free of dyes.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a waste stream by contacting the waste stream sequentially with a consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms, preferably purple non-sulfur bacteria, followed by a the green algae Chlorella. The consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms assimilate a first portion of the wastes, and the green algae assimilate the remaining portion of the wastes to produce a substantially purified effluent stream. Isolated microorganisms made by the above method are valuable commercial products.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the viability and subsequent activity of microorganisms utilized in a variety of environments to promote biodecontamination of surfaces. One application involves the decontamination of concrete surfaces. Encapsulation of microbial influenced degradation (MID) microorganisms has shown that MID activity is effectively maintained under passive conditions, that is, without manual addition of moisture or nutrients, for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing pentachlorephenol (penta) using a fungal inoculum is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one penta-tolerant fungi, a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the pentachlorophenol. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating groundwater, or other water streams contaminated with oxygenate(s), particularly MTBE and TBA, characterized by improved biodegradation of MTBE, the biodegradation of TBA, and reduced frequency of the need to change the carbon bed, which comprises inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on an activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes around the circumference of the end used for inoculation of the carbon bed by a method that optimizes dispersion and colonization; and flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. The invention is also an apparatus for biodegradation of oxygenate(s).

Abstract: A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) using a fungal inoculum is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus. a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the ACQ. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

Abstract: A ruminant direct fed microbial composition of matter comprising an acidosis inhibiting effective amount of Propionibacterum P-63 is provided. Also disclosed is a process for reducing acidosis in ruminants or scours in swine by administration of the bacterium to the ruminant or swine. The microbial composition may be administered by itself, or combined with animal feed and/or lactic acid producing cultures.

Abstract: A process for pre-emptive potential in bioremediation of oil spills comprising the steps of fabricating cells of micro-organisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons, encapsulating the cells into pods dissolvable in a non-hydrocarbon environment such as water, introducing the pods into a body of petroleum contained in a vessel which if unintentionally fractured to release the body of petroleum into the non-hydrocarbon environment will also release the cells, causing the cells to open and allow the micro-organism to degrade the hydrocarbon and consume the oil spill. The process may also include the step of recovering pods which are not released into the non-hydrocarbon environment from the body of petroleum.

Abstract: A porous material having a greater adsorptivity for adsorbing organic contaminants, such as agricultural chemicals, than a target soil, is fragmented. The fragmented porous material is mixed into a soil which the decomposing bacteria inhabit, thereby forming an enrichment soil layer. Through the enrichment soil layer, there is circulated an inorganic salt medium containing carbon and nitrogen sources formed by only an organic contaminant to be decomposed, thereby rapidly enriching the decomposing bacteria in the fragmented porous material. The fragmented porous material is inoculated into new fragmented porous material to form an enrichment layer consisting of the fragmented porous material only.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to substantially increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to degrade a polymeric compound in a culture medium. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bio-technologies and environmental protection, and refers the cleaning of water, soil and other media polluted with petroleum products. The cleaning method of the present invention is carried out with a biological preparation that comprises a pool of yeast of the Candida maltosa genus from the strains deposited under No. VKPM Y-2256 and No. VKPM Y-2257. These strains may be present in the pool in any ratio but preferably in the ratio of 1:1. The biological preparation may be used for removing pollution caused by a wide range of hydrocarbons contained in crude oil and petroleum products, for example fuel oil, oils, etc. The biological preparation affords recovery of oil pollution at temperatures up to +41° C. and pH 3.0-9.0, and may be used in saline ecosystems.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of yeast cells, wherein said plurality of yeast cells have been cultured in the presence of an alternating electric field having a specific frequency and a specific field strength for a period of time sufficient to substantially increase the capability of said plurality of yeast cells to convert biologically available phosphorus in a culture medium into their own biomass. Also included are methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, the method comprising a) providing a supply of biosolids; creating a slurry of the biosolids suitable for injecting; selecting an injection formation below a ground surface, the injection formation comprising a natural gas formation in a gas accumulation zone; injecting the biosolids slurry into the injection formation at a pressure sufficient to create and maintain fractures within the selected injection formation; and allowing degradation of the injected biosolids slurry.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the formulation and use of an advanced inorganic solid-media chemical composition designed and intended to enhance the removal of a broad range of contaminants in the environment by provided an improved means of promoting the anaerobic, biologically mediated degradation, transformation, and/or detoxification of the contaminants which may be present in industrial and/or hazardous liquid and solid wastes, and contaminated environmental media such as soils, sediments, ground-waters and surface-water bodies. The disclosed inorganic chemical composition of the present invention provides improved means of (i) promoting and enhancing the biogeochemical reactivity of recalcitrant contaminants in contaminated media, (ii) creating, enhancing, and maintaining anaerobic and strongly reducing conditions (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using a microbe containing a polypeptide that degrades, preferably detoxifies, a compound that is present in the environment. Preferably, the polypeptide is a hydrolase and the compound is at least one s-triazine. The present invention also provides a microbe containing a polypeptide that degrades, preferably detoxifies, a compound that is present in the environment.

Abstract: A method of treating household refuse wherein selection, communication, etc., the fraction of the total refuse containing biodegradable organic dry matter is delivered to an anaerobic fermentation process. Anaerobic fermentation is carried out until all the dry matter is exhausted, degradation rates of the biodegradable organic dry matter (OTSbiol) of 70% and more being attained. The resultant fermentation residue is subjected to a drying process in which the dry matter portion is increased to at least 90%. The resultant dry material no longer exhibits any biological activity. The exhaustive anaerobic fermentation process enables a maximum amount of biogas to be produced, its energy content being sufficient to supply the drying process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the formulation and use of an advanced solid-media chemical composition which includes both plant-derived and inorganic components which is designed and intended to enhance the removal of a broad range of recalcitrant organic and inorganic contaminants in the environment by provided an improved means of promoting the anaerobic, biologically mediated degradation, transformation, and/or detoxification of the contaminants which may be present in solid and liquid wastes, soils, sediments, and water bodies. The invention provides for improved means of (i) promoting the solid-phase extraction, absorption and adsorbtion of recalcitrant contaminants from contaminated media, (ii) creating, enhancing, and maintaining anaerobic and highly reducing conditions (i.e.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing perchlorate and/or nitrate from contaminated material utilizing a DM-17 bacteria. DM-17 is a gram-negative, motile, polymorphic, facultative anaerobe which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection under ATCC No. PTA-2685. DM-17 may be used as a substitute for anaerobic bacteria which are presently being used in biological systems for removing perchlorate and/or nitrate from water and other contaminated materials, such as soil. Enhancement of nitrate reduction results from the presence of a level of perchlorate. Enhancement of perchlorate results from the presence of a level of nitrate. Particular carbon contributors further enhance remediation.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of a microorganism is provided designated SH2A and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 55926, or a mutant derived therefrom. Further provided is a biologically pure culture of a microorganism designated SH2B and deposited under ATCC Accession No. 202050, or a mutant derived therefrom. A method of degrading an organic material such as sludge is carried out by treating the organic material with an effective, degrading amount of either SH2A or a mutant derived therefrom, or SH2B or a mutant derived therefrom. The microorganism designated SH2A or a mutant derived therefrom, or SH2B or a mutant derived therefrom, is grown by culturing the microorganism at a temperature and in a medium effective to promote growth of the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a waste stream by contacting the waste stream sequentially with a consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms, preferably purple non-sulfur bacteria, followed by a the green algae Chlorella. The consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms assimilate a first portion of the wastes, and the green algae assimilate the remaining portion of the wastes to produce a substantially purified effluent stream. The process of the present invention preferably includes a photobioreactor in order to increase the amount of light made available to the photosynthetic microorganisms, and result in improved uptake of waste materials from the waste stream.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, such as municipal sewage waste, comprising injecting the biosolids into a subsurface injection formation. The method can include recovering methane generated from the degradation of the biosolids.

Abstract: Catalase enzymes derived from bacteria from the genera Alcaligenes (Deleya) and Microscilla are disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized to destroy or detect hydrogen peroxide, e.g., in production of glyoxylic acid and in glucose sensors, and in processes where hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching or antibacterial agent, e.g. in contact lens cleaning, in bleaching steps in pulp and paper preparation and in the pasteurization of dairy products.

Abstract: A method of biotreating a solid material to remove an undesired compound using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 &mgr;m. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The reactor is inoculated with a microorganism capable of degrading the undesired compound in the solid material, and the solid material is then biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.