Biotechnology in Environmental Science 10 05 02 Environmental

Biotechnology in Environmental Science 10. 05. 02

Environmental Biotech • Major part is in detecting and monitoring pollution to determine how much is present

Biotech Examples • Indicator species 1. Lichens: – Widely used as environmental indicators or bio-indicators – If air is highly contaminated with sulfur dioxide, only green algae will be present

Biotech Examples 2. Bioremediation – Using bacteria to cleanup oil and fuel spills

Bioremediation Examples • Oleophilic bacteria • Used to clean up oil spills • Used to clean up the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill

Bioremediation Examples • 80, 000 gallon fuel leak in Hannah, SC (suburb of Charleston) • Fuel from a military supply leaked into ground water • Bacteria was used to remediate this problem

Biostimulation • Adding nutrients to feed the bacteria • This was used to feed the bacteria cleaning the Exxon Valdez clean up effort

Biodiesel • Made from oil seeds such as soybeans and canola oil • Decreases vehicle emissions

Phytoremediation • Using hybrid Poplar trees to remove VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) from soil • Used effectively in Oregon at an illegal dumping site • Used effectively at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. – Disposable site of chemical warfare agents, munitions, and industrial chemicals

Limitations of using bio and phytoremediation • Time – Much slower than chemical techniques • Applicability – Does not apply to all sites • Fear – People unsure if these methods have truly removed the contaminants

Biotechnology in Environmental Science 10. 05. 02

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