chapter 13 biotech in ecology. key terms ecology a branch of science concerned with the...
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 13
Biotech in Ecology
Key Terms
Ecology A branch of science concerned with the
interrelationships of organisms and their environmentIndicator Species
Use plants, animals, and microbes to warn us about pollutants in the environment
Immunoassays Tests that use antibodies from animal immune
systems to detect specific pollution compounds
Key Terms
Transducer An electronic instrument that measures physical
change in the environment produced by a biosensorBioremediation
An environmental improvement process whereby living organisms can be used to consume and convert pollutants to harmless substances
Biostimulation Adding nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to
stimulate the growth of naturally occurring microbes
Key Terms
Enhanced bioremediation The group of techniques in which nutrients,
microorganisms, or other materials are introduced to a contamination site to accelerate the clean-up process
Oleophilic bacteria Bacteria capable of breaking down both simple and
complex hydrocarbons found in crude oilPhytoremediation
The process of plants or trees absorbing or immobilizing pollutants
Key Terms
High-yield farming Producing more per acre
Integrated farm management A new method of farm management that aims to
reduce application of chemicals by optimizing the combination and timing of all farm management activities
Refugia A process in which noninsect resistant plants are
grown nearby, either mixed with the biotech crops or planted in large sections
Key Terms
Biodiesel A nonpolluting, biodegradable liquid fuel that is
obtained from renewable raw materials and can be used to replace fossil diesel fuel
What We’ll Talk About
EcologyRole of biotech in benefitting environmentBiotech used to detect environmental pollutantsDistinguish between bio and phyto –remediationHigh yield farming benefits to world hungerPositive effect of genetically modified crops on
environmentConventional vs organic farmingOil spills and biotech combatingBiodiesel fuel benefits for the environmentBenefits of plants surviving harsh conditions
Ecology
Rapidly increasing areaEcology:
A branch of science concerned with the interrelationships of organisms and their environment
Simple: How all organisms interact within the environment
So why the big deal now?
Global warmingPopulation pressure
Eating Breathing Water consumption Waste disposal
PollutionClean up = expen$ive!Goal: Reduce cost of research and develop
more efficient techniques
In the News:
ScienceDaily (Apr. 16, 2012) — New research from North Carolina State University shows that federal requirements governing diesel engines of new tractor trailer trucks have resulted in major cuts in emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) -- pollutants that have significant human health and environmental impacts.
In the News:
ScienceDaily (Apr. 16, 2012) — Researchers at Rice University and Penn State University have discovered that adding a dash of boron to carbon while creating nanotubes turns them into solid, spongy, reusable blocks that have an astounding ability to absorb oil spilled in water.
In the News:
ScienceDaily (Apr. 13, 2012) — Imagine a world where the rooftops and pavements of every urban area are resurfaced to increase the reflection of the Sun's light rays. Well, this is exactly what a group of Canadian researchers have simulated in an attempt to measure the potential effects against global warming.
In the News:
ScienceDaily (Apr. 12, 2012) — Researchers from the Department of Chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, have managed to construct a molecular catalyzer that can oxidize water to oxygen very rapidly. In fact, these KTH scientists are the first to reach speeds approximating those is nature's own photosynthesis. The research findings play a critical role for the future use of solar energy and other renewable energy sources.
Happening Now!
ScienceDaily (Apr. 12, 2012) — University of New Hampshire researchers have found that residents of Louisiana and Florida most acutely and directly affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster -- the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history -- said they have changed their views on other environmental issues as a result of the spill.
On that same thought:
One year after the worst oil spill in U.S. history, a sorry legacy of enduring damage, a people wronged and a region scarred remains. The BP oil rig that exploded killed 11 workers and spewed some 170 million gallons of toxic crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Whether we look to habitat and wildlife, employment and pay, or basic health and family welfare, the BP oil blowout has devastated the region. The people of the Gulf Coast still live with the disaster every day.
Back it up
Agriculture and Our Environment Plants we grow Chemicals we spray Equipment we use
Advances in Ag Soil plants & bacteria can absorb toxic wastes High-yield farming –decreases deforestation Genetic modifications resistant to disease and insects
Environmental PollutantsIndicator species
One of the oldest methods of detection
Uses plants, animals & microbes as warnings
Determine environmental impacts Absence Presence
Immunoassays Detect specific compounds Kit that uses color
Bioremediation
A set of techniques that: Use living organisms for clean up Clean up toxic waste in water & soil
Derived from: Latin bios: life Latin remedium: Fix or cure
Microbes do this anyway But sometimes we need to speed up the process
Microbes
Turn toxic waste into harmless substancesWhen clean up is over:
Microbes die/return to original levelsGrowth stimulated by nitrogen & phosphorus
BiostimulationWhat if there aren’t microbes where the
pollution is? Microbe “delivery” Excavation to treatment site
Clean up: Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, petroleum products & detergents
Bioremediation
Enhanced: Nutrients, microorganisms and other materials added
But we need it to be effective!!! Run LOTS of tests
Bacteria
Wait…Aren’t they bad?? 27,000 species!!
Best recyclers EVER!! Break down into basic elements
OIL Clean up difficult Especially in water!!!!!
Oleophilic Attracted to oil Break down hydrocarbons (in oil) to methanol, H2O &
CO2
Oleophilic Bacteria
Consume and dissolve “chocolate mousse”What they don’t eat?
Turn into “oil milk” Finer oil = Accessible to other bacteria
No chemicals!! Expensive Detrimental
Oil Spills
Other options? Tree bark
Phytoremediation
Process of plants/trees absorbing or immobilizing pollutants
Origin: Phyto: plant Remedium: to fix or clean up
Absorption of more complex materials Heavy metals, solvents, hydrocarbons, pesticides,
radioactive metals, explosives, nitrates, crude oil, landfill runoff, organic pollution
Pollutant must be shallow
Advantages of Bio-/Phyto- remediation
Economical Lost cost
Environmental Harness natural
processes Reduction of
environmental stress
Use of attractive plants
Early use
Disadvantages of Bio-/Phyto-remediation
TimeInapplicability to certain situationsPublic fears
High Yield Farming
Began as Green Revolution in 1960sSpared wilderness from farmland conversionProducing more per acreAlso used in forestry
World Population
Likely to reach 9 BILLION by 2050Increased standard of living:
Meat Dairy Fruit Vegetables Forest Fuel
How????
Consumption
How to feed the world
Only two options: Grow more on current land Use more land
Grow more: Requires technology Technology requires $$$
Use more land Lose wild lands & species Lose other resources
So here’s the deal:
Soil erosion Use of herbicide Conservation tillage “no-leach” farming GPS
Plant modification Genetics Insect resistant Herbicide tolerant
Integrated Farm Management
Reduce applications
Optimize timingSquare yards
Disease Prevention
Early detectionReduce chemicals
The Numbers
Conservation tillage cuts soil erosion by 65-98%
In 2000, 52 MILLION acres of US soil were no-till That’s 17% of the country’s farmland
If no-till were widely adopted in the US: CO2 emissions would be cut by 20% Not to mention time saved and productivity increases
GMCs (And not the car)
Genetically Modified Crops Transfer of genetic material to wild organisms Herbicide resistant weeds Insect tolerance to natural insecticides
Refugia (aka: Refuge= 20%) Non-insect-resistant plants Mixed or nearby in sections “Haven” to breed non-tolerant insects Non-tolerant will mate with tolerant
Baculovirus
Harsh Conditions
Plants to withstand:
Drier
Colder
Saltier
For:
Rice (long periods under water)
Tomatoes (salty soil tolerance
up to 50% more)
Corn (aluminum tolerance)
Biodiesel
Obtained from renewable raw materials Nonpolluting Biodegradable
Replace fossil fuel?Made from oilseeds
Decreases harmful emissionsUse of Ag crops
10% of cropland for biodiesel all domestic ag fuel would be produced domestically
Biodiesel Advantages
Reduce pollution through greenhouse gasesReduce global warmingBiodegradable product
Degrades into organic by 85% in 28 daysMaterials
Vegetable oils Used cooking oils Animal fats
Biodiesel Challenges
Cost 3x more to produce than petroleum
Solutions? Biotech to increase oil content in canola & soybeans