Economic Evaluation of Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Urban Soils in Chile

Technical advances have converted bioremediation into a large-scale ecosystem service suitable for the treatment of polluted soils worldwide; however, its application in Chile is scarce. The main hurdles that must be addressed include capacities such approaches soils, lack knowledge about key factors affecting costs and legal framework to regulate this activity. In study, economic performance chronically hydrocarbon-polluted urban based on bioaugmentation, biostimulation or combination both projected an industrial scale was evaluated. cost ranged between USD 50.7 310.4 per m3 contaminated soil. addition, items activities had most significant impacts final cost, as compost bacterial growth media bioaugmentation-based approaches, were identified. compared against extensive database 130 soil projects. fell within top 60% more expensive projects, highlighting high effort involved soils. This can facilitate decision making entrepreneurs, consultants, researchers governmental authorities when launching initiatives develop local industry capable cleaning up number sites Chile.