This document discusses environmental biotechnology and environmental microbiology. Environmental biotechnology uses biotechnology to solve environmental problems, while environmental microbiology studies microbial interactions and communities in the environment. The document then provides examples of areas within environmental biotechnology and microbiology, including molecular ecology, bioremediation, biosensors, and biofuels. Molecular ecology uses genetic tools to study ecology and biodiversity. Bioremediation uses bacteria or fungi to break down hazardous waste. Biosensors use biological entities like bacteria to monitor chemical or biological levels. Biofuels are plant-derived fuels seen as more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fuels.

2. Environmental biotechnology
 Solving of environmental
problems through the
application of biotechnology.

3. Environmental microbiology
 Study of microbial interactions, microbial processes
and microbial communities in the environment.
 Environmental microbiology includes:
 Study of
 Structure and activities of microbial communities.
 Microbial interaction and interaction with macro-organisims.
 Population biology of microorganisms.
 Microbial communities genetic and evolutionary processes.
 Element cycles and biogeochemical processes.
 Microbial life in extreme and unusual environment.

4. 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).

6. 1. Molecular Ecology
 Molecular ecology is the use of molecular genetic tools to study ecological
questions. Techniques such as microarrays and DNA markers are used to
study the interactions and diversity of natural populations.
 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.

7. Reading a DNA fingerprint Biofuel exaggeration

8. 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 off waste.
 Plants are also being tested in some areas to do this job
(Sunflowers at Chernobyl removed Cesium and
Strontium).

9.  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.

10. 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).

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

12. 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.

13.  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.