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

Why the need for 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).

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

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 (phytoremediation) hnology.com/gallery.html hnology.com/gallery.html

2) Bioremediation In North America, bioremediation has been used to clean up Canada’s DEW 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. R1s

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 (uses enzyme glucose oxidase to break blood glucose down)

4) Biofuels A biofuel is a plant derived fuel that is deemed more environmentally friendly than current fuel sources as they all release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Examples: 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 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 water! This technology has not been perfected yet.