TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Use: The microorganisms occur in soils and/or fluids contaminated by organic compounds enhancing the biodegradation of the organic compounds by the microorganisms therefore leading to the bioremediation. Chitin and/or derivatives are in an effective amount to accelerate the microbial metabolism and the degradation of the organic compounds.Preferred Method: The soil and fluids are contaminated by organic compounds not susceptible to the biodegrading action of native microorganisms such as halogenated hydrocarbons, high molecular weight polyaromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides.Preferred Composition: The composition further comprises at least one ingredient e.g. nutrients, salts, enzymes, coenzymes, cofactors, emulsifiers, surfactants, hydrophilic agents, chelators, viruses, pH adjusters, microbial inhibitors, microbial immobilizers, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, catalysts etc. At least one ingredient is represented by the product marketed under the trade mark natrel. The composition is used for its addition to the soils and/or fluids. The method especially comprises:(a) bringing the soil contaminated in depth to the surface, so that it is treated on-site or taken away to a disposal platform for the treatment off-site;(b) mixing the soil with vegetable material to form piles;(c) adding chitin or derivatives or a composition to the rest of the mass (contaminated soil and vegetable material); and(d) treating the piles in accordance with conventional composting methods.Step (c) is carried out on a part of the mixture from (b) in a reactor to produce a super active inoculum which is then added to the rest of the mixture. The method is integrated with one or more of the decontamination methods e.g. air sparging, soil vapor extraction and/or bioventing. ADMINISTRATION - 0.1-5.0 kg chitin and/or derivatives per 1 m3 are added to the soil or fluids (claimed).    EXAMPLE - Trials were conducted in a homogeneous artificially contaminated sand oil mixture to determine the effectiveness of chitin concentration in a range of rates at 0.5%, 2.5% and 6.0% (w/w sand) and contaminated with a 6% Pentachlorophenol (PCP) solution in light mineral oils. Also apparent is chitin's ability to adsorb the PCP from the sand and therefore lower contaminant levels. This protection was only temporary, however unless reduction by microorganisms was available. Controls were double monitored and averages were taken from the two readings, 770 and 820 mg/kg. All readings under two weeks were in mg/kg or parts per million (ppm). It was found that microbes added separately were not protected by chitin alone until its rate exceeded 2.9% but less than 6%. The concentration of PCP was used at a normally lethal rate for the microorganism. The adsorbent properties of the chitin for this phenol pollutant were well demonstrated even at very low use rates. The combination with another polysaccharide (cellulose) allowed the microbes to survive with the very low dose rate of 0.5% chitin with 2% sawdust. Due to the wide range of cost between the two compounds, it appears to be highly effective when used in this fashion. The lowest rate presented both the best adsorption rates as well as the best degradation with the organism.