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Biotech

Biotech. Your Future?. Degrees are getting more “ bio-y ” Bio engineering Bio chemistry Bio mechanics Bio ethics Astro biology Examples of Biotechnology? Insulin production Food production (alcohol, bread, yogurt, and cheese) Antibiotic production Biofuel / GM Plants

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Biotech

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  1. Biotech

  2. Your Future? • Degrees are getting more “bio-y” • Bioengineering • Biochemistry • Biomechanics • Bioethics • Astrobiology • Examples of Biotechnology? • Insulin production • Food production (alcohol, bread, yogurt, and cheese) • Antibiotic production • Biofuel/ GM Plants • Industrial Enzymes • Bioleaching

  3. What is Bioleaching? • Removing ores from bedrock using microorganism • Ore chunk of metal; starting point for making many products • Iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, etc… • Metals rarely found in pure form. Why? • Metals can react with sulfur to form metal sulphides • X-S • Insoluble in water • Microbes can oxidize metal sulphides to metal sulphates (X-SO4) • Soluble in water; easy to extract

  4. Selecting Bacteria • What do we need to consider when selecting bacteria for bioleaching? • Extracts the ore we want • Acidophile • Production of H2SO4 means pH is very low • Large temperature range • Moist caves may be cold • Deeper often means hotter • Aerobic or Anaerobic • Easy to grow/inexpensive • May require large amounts over several weeks/months • Not a pathogen • Not a danger to environment or workers

  5. Good Idea or Bad Idea? • Pros: • Cheap and fast way to obtain ore so prices of metals stay low • Good for the economy • No toxic smog or ash • Smelting releases SO2when ores extracted with heat • Safer for workers • Mine underground without sending in workers • Cons: • May be difficult to control • H2SO4 can damage ecosystem • Acid Mine Drainage • Heavy metals in water poison food chain

  6. Pittsburgh Mining • Mining is a big part of Pittsburgh’s history • 1760-Present; mining coal and ores • Early 1900’s leading steal producer; wealth floods to the city • 1980’s steel industry dies; effect of pollution finally dealt with • Acid Mine Drainage ruined ecosystem of tributaries; still cleaning them up today

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