Biotechnology in the Environment

1. Biotechnology in the Environment

2. Environmental Contamination • One of Canada’s biggest environmental problems is how to clean up toxic waste in contaminated soil and/or water. • Ex: Sydney Tar Ponds • Ex: Alberta Oil Sands

3. Bioremediation • Bioremediation is the process of using micro-organisms such as bacteria to break down complex compounds found in toxic waste. • Some micro-organisms can break down almost anything, even chemicals toxic to humans such as PCBs.

4. Bioremediation Continued… • In most cases, the break down of these complex toxic compounds requires groups of different micro-organisms. • Each group would be responsible for a stage in the break down process. • These groups of decomposers are called consortia.

5. How it Works • Bioremediation involves injecting a contaminated site with the micro-organisms and nutrients to help them grow. • In some cases, the micro-organisms are already present and only need nutrients to thrive.

6. Pros & Cons • Pros: • Can treat a site without much disturbance to the environment. • Cheaper than removing the contaminated material. • Con: • Science is still studying and perfecting this method. Not 100% sure of how micro-organisms function.

7. Exxon Valdez (1989) • Oil tanker ran aground off of Alaska releasing 42 million L of oil. • Over 33,000 animals were found dead. • 1600 km of shoreline covered in oil.

8. Oil Spills and Bioremediation • Bacteria was used to clean up oil that had trapped beneath in the ground and between rocks. • Oil eating bacteria were spread along the shoreline. • Fertilizers were also spread to aid in the growth of the bacteria.

9. Heavy Metals • Heavy metals such as mercury, copper, zinc and lead are pollutants released into the environment by humans activities such as: • Industry • Mining • Storm water run-off • These pollutants are harmful to many organisms including humans.

10. A Possible Solution • One possible solution is to use plants from the Brassica family such as cabbage or radishes. • These plants are great at soaking up heavy metals in their roots. • These plants do not remove the heavy metals, they only help collect them.

11. Loss of Species that may be Important • Science needs time to further understand the role micro-organisms can play. • The problem is that we are losing species of plants and animals that have not been fully investigated to over-harvesting, pollution and climate change.

12. Preserving Species • Biotechnology can be used to preserve certain endangered species. • The major concern with captive breeding is inbreeding. • Inbreeding is the mating of 2 closely related individuals. This increases the chances of genetic diseases.

13. DNA Fingerprinting • DNA fingerprintingis when scientist study the DNA of 2 animals to determine how closely related they are. • Scientists use this information to maintain genetic variation within a captive population.

14. Biotechnology and our Future • Biotechnology will determine the future of the food we eat, the diseases we’re able to treat and/or prevent as well as the environment we’ll live in.