Environmental Biotechnology

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

Why environmental biotechnology? It is needed to: 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).

Current Areas of Research

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

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).

2) Bioremediation In North America, bioremediation has been used to clean up Canada’s DEW line sties 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).

3) Biosensors Current uses of biosensors include: Detecting levels of toxins in an ecosystem Detecting airborne pathogens (i.e. anthrax) Monitoring blood glucose levels

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.

4) Biofuels The current project of many biofuel scientists is aptly nicknamed “A Journey to Forever”, creating a self-sustaining biofuel cell that gives off no greenhouse gas emissions. Many different bacterial strains can produce lots of hydrogen under anaerobic conditions. This hydrogen can be used as a fuel source with the only waste product being oxidized hydrogen… water. This technology has not been perfected yet.

Homework Define the following terms: environmental biotechnology, biofuel, biofuel cell, bioremediation, biosensor What positive impacts do you feel environmental biotechnology will have on the Canadian environment? Explain.