Release of nutrients, oxidants or electron donors into the environment to stimulate naturally occurring microorganisms, to degrade a contaminant, is referred to as
biostimulation
phytoremediation
bioaugmentation
Bioremediation
Biostimulation involves the addition of specific nutrients, electron donors, or oxidants to the environment with the aim of stimulating the activity of naturally occurring microorganisms to degrade contaminants.
Contaminants in the environment can include organic compounds such as petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, or other persistent pollutants. By providing the necessary substances, biostimulation enhances the metabolic activity of indigenous microorganisms capable of degrading these contaminants.
The added nutrients or electron donors serve as energy sources for the microorganisms, stimulating their growth and activity. In some cases, oxidants may be introduced to enhance the breakdown of contaminants by promoting chemical reactions that facilitate degradation.
Biostimulation is often used as a remediation strategy for contaminated sites and can be applied in various ways, such as injecting nutrients or electron donors into groundwater or adding them to soil. The goal is to create optimal conditions for the growth and activity of the desired microorganisms, allowing them to efficiently degrade the targeted contaminants.
It is important to note that the success of biostimulation depends on several factors, including the types of contaminants present, the microbial community's composition and capability, and environmental conditions.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.