Method of staggered release or exposure of microorganisms for biological remediation of hydrocarbons and other organic matter

A method of biological remediation of hazardous or undesirable organic matter utilizing microorganisms, comprising the steps of:

• determining a particular hazardous or undesirable organic matter to be remediated;
• selecting suitable microorganisms for remediating said organic matter, said microorganisms remediating said organic matter by utilizing said organic matter as a food source, said microorganisms being selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms able to remain dormant when encapsulated;
• encapsulating a first batch of said microorganisms in an environmentally degradable first carrier member, said first carrier member adapted to simultaneously release the entire said first batch of microorganisms at a predetermined first release time upon initial exposure of said first carrier member to an environment in which said first carrier member degrades;
• encapsulating a second batch of said microorganisms in an environmentally degradable second carrier member, said second carrier member adapted to simultaneously release the entire said second batch of microorganisms at a predetermined second release time upon exposure of said second carrier member to an environment in which said second carrier member degrades;
• wherein the time period from said initial exposure of said first carrier member to said second release time is greater than the time period from said initial exposure of said first carrier member to said first release time, and wherein the difference between said time periods is chosen to correspond to the expected period of efficacious remediation of said organic matter by said first batch of said microorganisms;
• determining nutrients suitable for maintaining the viability of said microorganisms upon release of said microorganisms from said first and second carrier members;
• encapsulating a first batch of said nutrients in a degradable first nutrient carrier member, such that said first batch of nutrients is released simultaneously with said first batch of said microorganisms, said nutrients being sufficient to sustain said first batch of said microorganisms in the event an insufficient amount of organic matter is present upon release of said first batch of said microorganisms;
• and
• encapsulating a second batch of said nutrients in a degradable second nutrient carrier member, such that said second batch of nutrients is released simultaneously with said second batch of said microorganisms, said nutrients being sufficient to sustain said second batch of said microorganisms in the event an insufficient amount of organic matter is present upon release of said second batch of said microorganisms;
• exposing said first and second carrier members and said first and second nutrient carrier members to an environment capable of degrading said first and second carrier members and said first and second nutrient carrier members such that said microorganisms are released to feed upon said organic matter.

A method of biological remediation of hazardous or undesirable organic matter utilizing microorganisms, comprising the steps of:

• determining a particular hazardous or undesirable organic matter to be remediated;
• selecting suitable microorganisms for remediating said organic matter, said microorganisms remediating said organic matter by utilizing said organic matter as a food source, said microorganisms being selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms able to remain dormant for extended periods of time when encapsulated;
• encapsulating a first batch of said microorganisms in an environmentally degradable first carrier member, said first carrier member adapted to simultaneously release the entire said first batch of microorganisms at a predetermined first release time upon initial exposure of said first carrier member to an environment in which said first carrier member degrades, said first batch of said microorganisms upon release forming a colony having an expected period of efficacious remediation, after which said colony will die out;
• encapsulating a second batch of said microorganisms in an environmentally degradable second carrier member, said second carrier member adapted to simultaneously release the entire said second batch of microorganisms at a predetermined second release time upon exposure of said second carrier member to an environment in which said second carrier member degrades, said second batch of said microorganisms upon release forming a second colony having an expected period of efficacious remediation, after which said colony will die out;
• wherein the time period from said initial exposure of said first carrier member to said second release time is greater than the time period from said initial exposure of said first carrier member to said first release time, and wherein the difference between said time periods is chosen to correspond to said expected period of efficacious remediation of said organic matter by said first colony of said microorganisms;
• exposing said first and second carrier members to an environment whereby said first and second carrier members degrade to release said microorganisms to feed upon said organic matter.