Lec # 16 Environmental Biotechnology Shah Rukh Abbas, PhD

Environmental Biotechnology Environmental biotechnology is the solving of environmental problems through the application of biotechnology. Environmental Biotechnology is the development, use and regulation of biological systems for remediation of contaminated environments (land, air, water), and for environment-friendly processes. Bioremediation - the use of microorganisms to remedy environmental problems 26

Environmental Biotechnology is needed to eliminate the hazardous wastes produced by our other technologies. ensure species are not at risk of extinction. create alternative energy sources (i.e. Biofuel). Areas of research Molecular Ecology Bioremediation Biosensors Biofuel

Reading a DNA fingerprint 1. Molecular Ecology Reading a DNA fingerprint 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).

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). In North America, bioremediation has been used to clean up Canada’s DEW (Distant Early warning) line sites in the arctic and has been used to clean up after oil spills off of Alaska. Currently, this science can “engineer” bacteria to break down hazardous waste right at the workplace to avoid transport and storage.

3. Biosensors A biosensor uses a biological entity (i.e. bacteria) to monitor levels of certain chemicals OR uses chemicals to monitor levels of certain biological entities (i.e. pathogens). Current uses of biosensors include: Detecting levels of toxins in an ecosystem Detecting airborne pathogens (i.e. anthrax)

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.

Bioremediation What are the events that triggered the interest in environmental biotechnology? Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring (DDT) Love Canal Burning of a River They all had the following in common The advent of the Industrial Revolution increase in products and waste people moved to the city increase in human population

Waste Solid: landfills, combustion-including waste-to energy plants, recovery slurries, composting Liquid: septic: sewage treatment, deep-well injection Gas: fossil fuels, chlorofluorocarbons Hazardous –anything that can explode, catch fire, release toxic fumes, and particles or cause corrosion

Bioremediation finds its place Companies begin to specialize in cleaning up toxic waste spills by using a mixture of bacteria and fungi because cleaning these spills usually requires the combined efforts of several strains. Biotechnologists begin engineering “super bugs” to clean up wastes. However, there are many microorganisms in nature that will degrade waste products.

Bioremediation basics Fundamentals of Cleanup Reactions Microbes can convert many chemicals into harmless compounds HOW? Aerobic or anaerobically Both involve oxidation and reduction reactions How bioremediation is used, depends on what is contaminated? (locations) on the types of chemicals that need to be cleaned up the concentration of the contaminants (amount and duration)

The Players: Metabolizing Microbes Site usually contains a variety of microbes Closest to the contaminant: anaerobes Farthest away: aerobes The most common and effective bacteria are the indigenous microbes (e.g. Pseudomonas in soil) Fungus and algae are also present in the environment and do a good job of “cleaning up” chemicals (fungi do it better than bacteria)

Bioremediation Genomics Programs Stimulating Bioremediation Add fertilizers (nutrient enrichment) to stimulate the growth of indigenous microorganisms Adding bacteria or fungus to assist indigenous microbes is known as bioaugumentation or seeding

Phytomediation Utilizing plants to clean up chemicals Ex: cottonwoods, poplar, juniper trees, grasses, alfalfa Low cost, low maintenance and it adds beauty to the site

Cleanup Sites and Strategies Soil Cleanup Either remove it (ex situ bioremediation) or in situ (in place) In place: If aerobic may require bioventing Most effective in sandy soils Removed: Slurry-phase, solid phase, composting, landfarming, biopiles

Cleanup Sites and Strategies Bioremediation of Water Wastewater treatment

Cleanup Sites and Strategies Bioremediation of Water Groundwater Cleanup