1. Lec # 16 Environmental Biotechnology
Shah Rukh Abbas, PhD

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Cleanup Sites and Strategies
Bioremediation of Water
Wastewater treatment

17. Cleanup Sites and Strategies
Bioremediation of Water
Groundwater Cleanup