Environmental Biotechnology

Introduction Environmental biotechnology is the solving of environmental problems through the application of biotechnology.

Why environmental biotechnology? Because it: eliminate the hazardous wastes produced by our other technologies. distinguish between similar species and ensure species are not at risk of extinction. create alternative energy sources (i.e. Biofuel).

Contaminants released into the environment Solvents Pesticides Herbicides Fungicides Insecticides Petrochemicals Explosives Heavy metals

Pollution prevention Use biotechnology approach to produce products biologically and environment friendly

It includes Modification of bioremediation and degradation Pulp and paper industry Chemicals Use enzymes in detergent Bioenergy from biomass Biorefinery

1) Molecular Ecology Using biological techniques (i.e. DNA fingerprinting) to better understand aspects of nature. This is done to look at the biodiversity of different populations to ensure they are not at risk of going extinct (cheetahs and polar bears currently). It can be used to determine if a new species has emerged and also better map the evolutionary development of different families of animals (horses and whales currently).

Reading a DNA fingerprint 1) Molecular Ecology Biofuel exaggeration Reading a DNA fingerprint

Environmental biotechnology is harnessتسخير biological process for commercial uses and exploitation. BIOACCUMULATION BIODEGRADATION BIOREMEDIATION Biofuels BIOMETHANATION

BIOACCUMULATION BIOACCUMULATION is result of three processes: 1)uptake Bioaccumulation refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism. Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a toxic substance at a rate greater than that at which the substance is lost. Thus, the longer the biological half-life of the substance the greater the risk of chronic poisoning, even if environmental levels of the toxin are not very high. Bioaccumulation, for example in fish, can be predicted by models.Biotransformation can strongly modify bioaccumulation of chemicals in an organism. BIOACCUMULATION is result of three processes: 1)uptake 2)storage 3)elimination

BIODEGRADATION Biodegradation is the chemical dissolution of materials by bacteria or other biological means.While biodegradable simply means to be consumed by microorganisms and return to compounds found in nature. The term is often used in relation to ecology, waste management, biomedicine, and the natural environment (bioremediation) and is now commonly associated with environmentally friendly products that are capable of decomposing back into natural elements. Organic material can be degraded aerobically with oxygen, or anaerobically, without oxygen.

2) Bioremediation Bioremediation is the use of bacteria (or fungi) to clean up hazardous environmental wastes. The bacteria essentially turn the dangerous waste products into less hazardous, easy to dispose of, waste. Plants are also being tested in some areas to do this job (Sunflowers at Chernobyl removed Cesium and Strontium).

4) Biofuels A biofuel is a plant derived fuel that is deemed more environmentally friendly that current fuel sources as they all release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ethanol from corn is placed in many gasoline varieties in North America. Biodiesel is fuel made from used cooking oil. Biogas is made from gases released by compost or a landfill.

BIOMETHANATION Biomethanation is the formation of methane by microbes known as methanogens. Organisms capable of producing methane have been identified only from the domain Archaea, a group phylogenetically distinct from both eukaryotes and bacteria, although many live in close association with anaerobic bacteria. The production of methane is an important and widespread form of microbial metabolism. In most environments, it is the final step in the decomposition of biomass.

Homework Define the following terms: environmental biotechnology, biofuel, biofuel cell, bioremediation, biosensor