Bioremediation Lab – Teacher Notes
Materials:
 Zip lock bags
 Bread
 Goggles/gloves
 RID-X Septic System Treatment, 16 oz. RID-X must be dissolved in water
to activate microbial action. Suggested minimal amount to get results
within a short period of time: 1 tablespoon per cup of water and aquarium
dechlorinator (use as directed, removes chlorine which may adversely
affect microbial action.)
 Use ¼ piece of whole bread and 1 cup of water per baggie, with varying
amounts of RID-X added initially to warm water and then kept at 80°F
(no RID-X, ½ tablespoon RID-X, 1 tablespoon RID-X, 2 tablespoons RID-X)
Procedure:
 Describe the purpose of the investigation; (1) to determine the effect, if
any, that bacteria and enzymes have on the rate of decomposition and
(2) determine conditions that inhibit or enhance the rate of decomposition.
 Students predict and record what will happen to the bread in each
baggie, and then prepare their baggies.
 Students follow their procedures, observe the baggies and record
observations in their journals over a specified period of time.
 Students analyze their data, graphically represent their findings, and
present the information to the class.
Results:
 After 24 hours the bread was simply waterlogged in the baggie without
RID-X, but there was progressive evidence of decomposition in the RID-X
baggies, with the greater amount of RID-X added showing the greater
rate of decomposition.
Bioremediation Lab
Objective 14
Materials:
 4 zip lock bags
 1 piece of bread
 Goggles/gloves
 RID-X Septic System Treatment, 16 oz. RID-X must be dissolved in water
to activate microbial action. Suggested minimal amount to get results
within a short period of time: 1 tablespoon per cup of water and aquarium
dechlorinator (use as directed, removes chlorine which may adversely
affect microbial action).
 Use ¼ piece of bread and 1 cup of warm water per baggie, with varying
amounts of RID-X added initially to warm water and then kept at 80°F
(no RID-X, ½ tablespoon RID-X, 1 tablespoon RID-X, 2 tablespoons RID-X).
Procedure:
 Predict and record what will happen to the bread in each baggie
No RID-X: _________________________________________________________
½ tablespoon of RID-X: _____________________________________________
1 tablespoon of RID-X: ______________________________________________
2 tablespoons of RID-X: _____________________________________________
 Prepare baggies using directions above
Observations:
No RID-X
½ tbsp
1 tbsp
2 tbsp
Analysis:
What changes were observed during the investigation? Why did they occur?
Were there any differences in the decomposition rates of the bread exposed to
RID-X, and bread that was placed in plain water?
What were the variables and how did they effect the decomposition rate?
What are the benefits/risks to using bioremediation processes to clean up
contaminants in water or soil?