In order to understand the potential for bioremediation, environmental factors such as landscape, soil type, texture, water content, organic carbon content, and microbial species diversity must be understood in order to optimize this process. To date, little research has been done on the effects of soil type, landscape and moisture status on bioremediation potential. This research deals with the mineralization of phenanthrene in diesel fuel (a) in a survey of soils, (b) along a landscape, and (c) under wetting and drying conditions in soil. In order to determine the remediation capacity of a range of soils, a survey was undertaken of 10 sites in the province of Manitoba. Along with uncontaminated soil samples, soil having previous contamination of hydrocarbons was also examined. The mineralization, volatilization and sorbed or residual $\sp{14}$C labeled phenanthrene in diesel was monitored in microcosms. The effect of landscape on the mineralization of phenanthrene in diesel fuel was assessed using air flow through systems in intact soil columns and static microcosms. The mineralization of glucose and phenanthrene under various moisture conditions was monitored using flow through microcosm systems. The soil was subjected to wet-dry, continuously dry and continuously wet conditions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)