Lecture 15 -Bioremediation Flashcards
Define bioremediation, what is it based on and what does it involve
Current and potential use of microorganisms and plants to treat pollution in the environment
Based on natural ability of living organisms to reduce or eliminate pollution
Involves ENHANCING removal rates of pollutants from an ecosystem
Define pollution
the presence in or introduction into environment of harmful or poisonous substances, or excessive levels of light, noise, organic waste etc. Especially as result of human activity
Give 3 broad examples of different types of pollution
Oil spills e.g. Exxon valdez spill. 260000-750,000 crude oil barrels spilled
Atmospheric pollution - anything discharged from chimneys
Contaminated land
What are the 4 classifications of pollutants
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Ionising radiations and electromagnetic waves
What environments are affected by pollution
ALL Marine terrestrial fresh water atmosphere extraterrestrial
What has been the UK’s biggest ‘serious pollution incident’ other than ‘other’ on the pie chart since 2008
sewage and waste
What are the challenges faced when quanitfying pollution in an area?
There’s no true record
325000 sites have had KNOWN use that COULD have led to contamination
Historically still being effected - e.g. lead poisoning of ground by romans
What are the 2 main reasons/arguments for treating pollution
Ecological - destruction of habitat by pollution can lead to losses in species diversity and extinction
Human - pollution can have deleterious effects on both human health and welfare (contaminated land worth less)
What are the 3 broad ways of treating pollution
Physical - use mechanical process e.g. containment
Chemical - e.g. neutralising acid
Often combined to a physiochemical treatment
Biological
Define biological treatment
Any process where a pollutant is converted into an alternative (usually less harmful) form by the action of a biological system.
What aspect of biological agents does bio treatment exploit?
Their metabolic abilities to remove/treat pollutants naturally
Give an historic example of bio treatment
manure on fields as fertiliser
What kind of organisms are used in bio treatment
Animals, plants and microorganisms
Are animals well suited to treat pollution? Why?
Give an example where they have been used
No Large slow growing ethical issues chicken feathers to mop up oil
What is phytoremediation
The use of plants to treat pollution