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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of bioremediation techniques?
What is the primary focus of bioremediation techniques?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of phytoremediation?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of phytoremediation?
Which type of organism is used in mycoremediation to clean up contaminants?
Which type of organism is used in mycoremediation to clean up contaminants?
What is the significance of the "superbug" mentioned in the content?
What is the significance of the "superbug" mentioned in the content?
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The text mentions "electric bacteria" being used for a specific purpose. What are they used for?
The text mentions "electric bacteria" being used for a specific purpose. What are they used for?
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Which of the following is a common concern regarding the use of genetically engineered organisms for bioremediation?
Which of the following is a common concern regarding the use of genetically engineered organisms for bioremediation?
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What is a key difference between Bio-Enrich and the other bioremediation techniques discussed in the text?
What is a key difference between Bio-Enrich and the other bioremediation techniques discussed in the text?
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What is the primary role of "super-enzyme" in the context of bioremediation?
What is the primary role of "super-enzyme" in the context of bioremediation?
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What is the primary goal of bioremediation?
What is the primary goal of bioremediation?
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Which of the following are considered prevalent environmental pollutants?
Which of the following are considered prevalent environmental pollutants?
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Which microorganisms are NOT typically involved in bioremediation?
Which microorganisms are NOT typically involved in bioremediation?
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What type of pollutants do certain organisms developed during the Gulf War target?
What type of pollutants do certain organisms developed during the Gulf War target?
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How long has research on bioremediation been ongoing?
How long has research on bioremediation been ongoing?
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Which of the following compounds is a common source of environmental contamination?
Which of the following compounds is a common source of environmental contamination?
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What is an example of a biotechnological process aimed at a healthier environment?
What is an example of a biotechnological process aimed at a healthier environment?
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Which organisms are commonly found in a single teaspoon of garden soil?
Which organisms are commonly found in a single teaspoon of garden soil?
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What is a key advantage of bioremediation compared to other pollutant removal methods?
What is a key advantage of bioremediation compared to other pollutant removal methods?
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Which statement accurately describes a disadvantage of bioremediation?
Which statement accurately describes a disadvantage of bioremediation?
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What does bioremediation primarily use to address pollution?
What does bioremediation primarily use to address pollution?
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Which product is NOT a result of oil degradation in bioremediation?
Which product is NOT a result of oil degradation in bioremediation?
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What type of environments might different bioremediation strategies be applied to?
What type of environments might different bioremediation strategies be applied to?
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During which oil spill was bioremediation notably applied?
During which oil spill was bioremediation notably applied?
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Why are warmer environments more favorable for bioremediation processes?
Why are warmer environments more favorable for bioremediation processes?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of microbial remediation?
Which of the following is a characteristic of microbial remediation?
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Study Notes
Applications of Modern Biotechnology in the Environment
- Biotechnology processes can improve the environment
- Organisms were developed during the Gulf War to consume oil
- Organisms are used in gold mining to consume contaminants
- Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi naturally break down contaminants into less harmful forms
- Environmental pollution sources include industrial waste, accidental/intentional spills of oil and chemicals, radioactive substances, pesticides, and burnt waste releasing chemicals into the air.
- Common pollutants include acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, cyanide, DDT, DDE, detergents, mercury, toluene, vinyl chloride.
- Sources of these pollutants vary from plastics, fibers, solvents, and other chemicals.
- Bioremediation is the process of using organisms to convert hazardous pollutants into less toxic compounds.
- Bioremediation involves manipulating the process of compound degradation through biological activity.
- It's an ongoing research area since the 1940s.
- Key players in bioremediation include: bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants.
- Microbes reside in soil, water, air, animals, plants, and rocks. A single teaspoon of garden soil contains millions of bacteria and thousands of fungi & algae.
Why Bioremediation?
- Bioremediation uses natural processes, such as bacteria, to transform pollutants.
- It doesn't just move pollutants from one environment to another.
- Bioremediation is the most economical solution for pollutant removal.
- Degradation products are typically harmless, such as alcohol, phenols, esters, ketones, & fatty acids, which convert into carbon dioxide, water, etc and don't harm the environment.
Advantages of Bioremediation
- Highly specific
- Less expensive than other methods
- Complete degradation and clean up when a mineralization occurs
- Does not transfer contaminants from one environment to another
- Uses a natural process
- Good public acceptance
- Simple process
Disadvantages of Bioremediation
- Not instantaneous
- Often requires system development and empirical optimization (cannot use computer models)
- May have inhibitors present
- Pollutants may not be in a biodegradable form (polymers, plastics)
- Pollutants may be recalcitrant (higher congeners of PCBs)
Strategies for Bioremediation
- Different strategies are employed depending on the environment (soil, aquatic, etc.)
- Aquatic environments include fresh water, marine waters, groundwater sources, and wastewater treatment facilities.
Examples of Bioremediation Applications
- Microbial remediation of oil spills (hundreds recorded since 1970; 448 recorded between 1990 and 2013).
- Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989) in Prince William Sound, Alaska is an example
- Bioremediation is commonly applied in sewage treatment.
Classes of Bioremediation for Soil
- In situ bioremediation treats contaminated material at the site.
- Ex situ bioremediation removes contaminated material for treatment elsewhere.
- Technologies include landfarming, bioreactors, composting, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation.
Bioaugmentation, Biostimulation, Bioventing
- Bioaugmentation: introduces natural or genetically engineered microorganisms to enhance bioremediation
- Biostimulation: modifies the environment (e.g., adds nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, or carbon) to stimulate existing microorganisms.
- Bioventing: increases available oxygen (similar to biostimulation) by introducing air or hydrogen peroxide.
Landfarming
- Biological degradation of waste by incorporating it into the soil.
- Relies on healthy soil microorganisms to metabolize waste components.
- Waste is rendered safer (but not necessarily completely safe).
Factors to consider in bioremediation
- Temperature
- Inorganic nutrient availability
- pH level
- Heavy metal concentration
- Depending on the environment, the effective organisms/processes will differ
Types of Environments suited for Bioremediation
- Different organisms are effective using different temperatures ranging from cold (0°C-15°C) psychrophilic organisms in cold environments to hot (>45°C) environments needing thermophilic organisms
- Warmer environments have generally faster degradation rates.
Genetic engineering in bioremediation
- Controversial due to potential alteration of the environment by releasing genetically engineered organisms
- May lead to mutated organisms, competing with naturally occurring microbes.
- Genetically engineered microorganisms would compete with microbes naturally present at the polluted site.
Mycoremediation
- Fungi are used for bioremediation.
- Chemicals that fungi can treat include pentachlorophenols, asbestos, heavy metals, sewage, PCBs.
- Organisms used include: Fusarium oxysporum, Mortierella spp., and Phanerochaete spp.
Phytoremediation
- Bioremediation process employing plants
- Plants absorb and metabolize chemicals through their roots.
- Effective when contaminants are near the surface.
- Known as carbon sinks and help in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases.
Bio-Enrich
- A mix of natural microbial flora and enzymes for bio-degradation of industrial waste and pollutants.
- Effectively reduces COD and BOD.
- Microbial biotechnology-based.
Other Notes
- "Electric bacteria" are used in purifying sewage water.
- "Super-enzyme" proteins derived from bacteria treat plastics.
- Algae and fungal mycelium are potentially used as bioplastics.
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Description
Explore how modern biotechnology is utilized to address environmental challenges. This quiz covers the role of organisms in bioremediation, pollution sources, and the breakdown of contaminants. Test your knowledge on the impact of biotechnology on improving the health of our planet.
