Guide to Remediation

Full details about our remediation process

A formal, step-by-step client guide describing how Bioglobe delivers safe, effective organic enzyme bioremediation projects. This is written so you can share it with prospective clients, tender panels or include as part of a proposal pack.

Overview (what this guide covers)

Bioglobe follows a structured, evidence-based workflow from first contact through handover and long-term monitoring. Every project passes discrete decision gates so we only commit to full-scale work when technical, environmental and commercial feasibility are confirmed. The steps below show the sequence, the purpose of each step, expected outputs and responsibilities (Bioglobe vs client).

1. Initial consultation

Purpose: Establish client objectives, site context, commercial constraints and immediate health & safety considerations.

Process

• Receive enquiry and gather preliminary information (site location, type of contamination, visible extent, previous reports).
• High-level phone/video meeting with client and project lead to confirm scope, urgency, access constraints, and regulatory contacts.
• Identify immediate safety or ecological risks that require urgent action or notification.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Meeting notes and summary of issue.
• Proposed next steps and items required for a feasibility study.
• Client inputs
• Site access details, any existing environmental reports or monitoring data, maps, owner/landlord contacts.
• Decision gate
• Proceed to Feasibility Study once client confirms interest and provides basic site materials.

2. Feasibility study

Purpose: Establish whether a tailored enzyme solution is a technically and legally viable option and identify data gaps.

Process

• Review existing documentation and satellite/aerial imagery.
• Cross-check regulatory constraints and likely permit needs.
• Preliminary risk screening (human health, habitats, protected species).
• Define a proposed sampling and laboratory testing program.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Feasibility report summarising:
• Nature of contamination and probable drivers.
• Technical options (enzyme remediation vs alternatives).
• Data gaps and recommended survey & lab programme.
• High-level commercial considerations and likely budget drivers.
• Client inputs
• Confirmation to proceed with on-site survey and sampling programme.
• Decision gate
• Authorisation to mobilise a Site Survey and Laboratory Testing package.

3. Site survey

Purpose: Collect representative field data and samples under robust QA so laboratory work and pilot testing are meaningful.

Process

• Prepare a site-specific sampling plan (sample locations, depth/profile, frequency).
• Mobilise a field team with PPE, chain-of-custody forms and equipment.
• Record field observations: visual extent, hydrology, fauna/flora, sensitive receptors, odours, sheen, pH, temperature.
• Take representative samples (soil, sediment, water) labelled and logged.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Site survey report with maps, photographs, sample logs and field parameter tables.
• Chain of custody documentation.
• Client inputs
• Site access, assistance with local contacts or permitors if needed.
• Decision gate
• Laboratory Testing proceeds once samples are received and accepted by the lab.

4. Laboratory testing

Purpose: Characterise contaminants and run baseline tests to guide enzyme selection and dose-response work.

Process

• Analytical characterisation (contaminant identification, concentrations, BOD/COD, nutrient levels, toxicity screens, particle size for soils, organic carbon content).
• Baseline ecotoxicity screening if required.
• Small-scale bench tests (static assays) to assess natural attenuation rates and initial enzyme activity in site matrices.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Laboratory analytical report with interpretations and recommended next steps.
• Bench test results indicating promising enzyme classes/conditions.
• Client inputs
• Approval to proceed with any further specialised tests (e.g., additional toxicity assays, metabolites screening).
• Decision gate
• Decide whether to progress to bespoke variant development or pilot test using off-the-shelf enzyme blends.

5. Development of bespoke variant (if required)

Purpose: Design and optimise an enzyme formulation or variant tailored to the site matrix and target contaminant, ensuring environmental compatibility.

Process

• Match enzyme activity profiles to contaminant chemistry and environmental conditions (pH, salinity, temperature).
• Formulate carriers and stabilisers ensuring biodegradability and no deleterious residues.
• Small-scale optimisation to set dose ranges and application method (spray, injection, mixing).
• Regulatory & safety note
• If any production method or formulation triggers regulatory oversight (e.g., controlled microbes, GM processes), Bioglobe will flag these and coordinate compliance measures with the client and regulators.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Technical dossier for the bespoke formulation: composition (high level), activity profile, storage/handling requirements, ecotoxicity screening, disposal considerations.
• Recommended product handling and PPE.
• Client inputs
• Approval to manufacture pilot batch and permission for pilot application.
• Decision gate
• Client sign-off to run a pilot test with the bespoke or selected formulation.

6. Pilot test (field)

Purpose: Demonstrate performance in a controlled portion of the site and collect real world data on efficacy and non-target effects.

Process

• Select pilot area(s) representative of site conditions.
• Pre-treatment baseline sampling and ecological survey.
• Apply treatment per negotiated method (e.g., surface spray, injection grid).
• Monitor immediate response (visual changes, chemistry, toxicology) and operational challenges (access, application logistics).
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Pilot method statement and risk assessment.
• Pilot test report with before/after data, observations, photographic record and recommendations for scale-up.
• Client inputs
• Assistance with site access, stakeholder notification where required.
• Decision gate
• Proceed to full-scale project planning if pilot meets agreed success criteria.

7. Further laboratory analysis (post-pilot)

Purpose: Verify pilot results with confirmatory laboratory work and refine full-scale design.

Process

• Consolidate pilot samples and send for confirmatory analyses (contaminant reduction, metabolites, toxicity to non-target organisms).
• Model expected outcomes at scale using pilot performance data.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Confirmatory lab report and updated technical design for scale-up.
• Client inputs
• Formal approval to proceed to project planning and costing.

8. Project planning and costing

Purpose: Produce a detailed project plan, risk register, resource schedule and budget for tender/contract.

Process

• Prepare scope of work, specification of treatments, materials, labour and equipment.
• Produce logistic plan for mobilisation, permits, traffic & public safety measures, waste handling and emergency response.
• Produce a procurement plan for enzymes, consumables and third-party services (drilling, transport).
• Identify insurance, permits and stakeholder engagement needs.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Detailed project plan and statement of work.
• Fixed or itemised cost proposal and commercial terms (milestones, invoicing triggers, warranty/guarantee conditions).
• H&S plan and environmental management (including disposal/residue plan).
• Client inputs
• Contract signature, purchase order, any necessary client permits or land access agreements.
• Decision gate
• Contract award and mobilisation.

9. Project remediation (full scale)

Purpose: Execute the remediation according to the approved plan and manage quality, safety and environmental protection.

Process

• Mobilise teams, equipment and materials.
• Implement communication plan with stakeholders and regulators.
• Execute treatment application, with on-site QA sampling and monitoring.
• Adaptive management: adjust doses/methods based on real-time monitoring.
• Maintain detailed logs: application rates, weather, observations, incidents.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Daily/weekly site reports, QA sampling data, incident reports.
• Interim performance reports mapping progress against KPIs.
• Client inputs
• Site access, operational support as agreed in the contract.
• Decision gate
• Move to maintenance phase when remediation performance meets acceptance criteria or when full scope of treatment is complete.

10. Maintenance schedule

Purpose: Prevent rebound of contamination and ensure long-term ecological recovery.

Process

• Produce site-specific maintenance plan (inspection frequency, monitoring points, trigger levels for re-treatment).
• Define routine activities: top-up treatments where necessary, vegetation management, sediment removal if required.
• Assign responsibilities for routine checks (Bioglobe vs client vs third party).
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Maintenance schedule and checklist.
• Training materials for client staff if maintenance is client-led.
• Client inputs
• Resources for agreed maintenance activities and local notifications.

11. Ongoing laboratory analysis & monitoring

Purpose: Provide evidence of sustained remediation and compliance; confirm that non-target impacts are negligible.

Process

• Implement monitoring programme as defined in project plan (sampling, analytical suites, ecotoxicity tests).
• Provide periodic reports comparing results to baseline and regulatory thresholds.
• Recommend adaptive interventions if monitoring shows decline in performance.
• Bioglobe deliverables
• Monitoring reports, interpreted against KPIs and regulatory limits.
• Recommendations and options for any further remediation if needed.
• Client inputs
• Permission for continued site access and funding for ongoing analysis.
• Quality assurance, H&S and regulatory compliance (applies at all stages)

Chain of custody, accredited laboratories, and documented QA/QC procedures are used for all sampling and analyses.

Bioglobe will prepare project-specific H&S plans, COSHH assessments for enzyme products, and emergency response procedures.

We will identify necessary permits and assist the client in applications, and we will notify statutory bodies where required.

Environmental safeguards to protect sensitive receptors will be implemented (containment, exclusion zones, etc.).

Typical deliverables (summary)

Feasibility report

Site survey report with sample logs

Laboratory analytical reports

Bench test and pilot test reports

Technical dossier for bespoke enzyme formulation

Full project plan, risk register, cost proposal

H&S and environmental management plans

Daily/weekly remediation reports

Maintenance schedule and monitoring programme

Final close-out report with verification data

Success metrics & acceptance criteria (examples)

Confirmed reduction of target contaminant(s) at agreed monitoring points to below client/regulatory threshold.

No statistically significant acute toxicity to non-target test organisms in treated matrices.

Operational delivery within agreed scope and documented non-conformance resolution.

Stakeholder/regulator sign-off where required.

(Exact KPIs are set per project during the Feasibility/Project Planning stage.)

Payment and commercial structure (recommended approach)

Use decision gates as invoice milestones (e.g., Feasibility Study, Pilot completion, Contract award, Completion).

Itemise costs for consumables, third-party services and contingencies.

Include a contractual clause for adaptive management/variation where additional treatment is needed after monitoring.

Risk management & contingency planning

Maintain a live risk register (environmental, operational, reputational) and mitigations.

Define worst-case scenarios and contingency response (e.g., containment, additional treatment, temporary site closure).

Insure projects appropriately and confirm client/contractor liabilities in the contract.

Client checklist (what you’ll be asked to provide)

Existing site reports, maps and landowner details.

Access permissions and any site hazard information.

Contact details for the client project manager and any statutory contacts.

Budget range and commercial constraints (so we can design an appropriate solution).

Decisions at key gates (go/no-go to sampling, pilot, full-scale).

Annexes we can provide on request

• Sampling plan template and example chain-of-custody form.
• Pilot test protocol template.
• Example lab reporting format and acceptance criteria.
• Maintenance checklist and monitoring templates.
• Public communications template for stakeholder engagement.