Which statement best describes how bacteria can be used to clean up pollutants in the environment?

• A. By releasing antibiotics that instantly sterilize contaminated soil and water.
• B. By increasing pollution levels to trigger faster chemical breakdown by sunlight.
• C. Through bioremediation, bacteria metabolize or transform pollutants (e.g., hydrocarbons) into less toxic compounds.
• D. By converting pollutants into heavy metals that settle out of water.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of bioremediation, which is the process where microorganisms like bacteria are used to degrade or transform harmful pollutants into less toxic substances.
2. Recognize that bacteria can metabolize pollutants such as hydrocarbons by using them as energy or carbon sources, breaking them down chemically.
3. Eliminate incorrect options by noting that bacteria do not release antibiotics to sterilize environments instantly, nor do they increase pollution levels to aid sunlight breakdown.
4. Also, understand that bacteria do not convert pollutants into heavy metals; instead, they chemically alter pollutants to reduce toxicity.
5. Conclude that the best description is that bacteria clean up pollutants through bioremediation by metabolizing or transforming them into less harmful compounds.