Which environmental factor most directly explains the low effectiveness of bioremediation in deep-sea oil spills?

Bioremediation depends on microbes breaking down oil, and that process is slower when conditions limit microbial growth and metabolism. Deep-sea water is cold and often has limited oxygen, so microbes generally degrade oil more slowly there. Thus, “Cold, low-oxygen conditions slow microbial activity” is the best answer; evaporation is not rapid in deep water.

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