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Biotech in Ecology CHAPTER 13 Key Terms Ecology A branch of science concerned with the interrelationships of organisms and their environment Indicator 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 biosensor Bioremediation 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 oil Phytoremediation 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 Ecology Role of biotech in benefitting environment Biotech used to detect environmental pollutants Distinguish between bio and phyto –remediation High yield farming benefits to world hunger Positive effect of genetically modified crops on environment Conventional vs organic farming Oil spills and biotech combating Biodiesel fuel benefits for the environment Benefits of plants surviving harsh conditions Ecology Rapidly increasing area Ecology: 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 warming Population pressure Eating Breathing Water consumption Waste disposal Pollution Clean 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 Pollutants Indicator 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 substances When clean up is over: Microbes die/return to original levels Growth stimulated by nitrogen & phosphorus Biostimulation What 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 Time Inapplicability to certain situations Public fears High Yield Farming Began as Green Revolution in 1960s Spared wilderness from farmland conversion Producing more per acre Also used in forestry World Population Likely to reach 9 BILLION by 2050 Increased standard of living: C Meat o n Dairy s u Fruit m Vegetables p t Forest i o Fuel n How???? 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 Integrated Farm Plant modification Genetics Insect resistant Herbicide tolerant Disease Prevention Early detection Reduce chemicals Management Reduce applications Optimize timing Square yards 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 Biodiesel Obtained from renewable raw materials Nonpolluting Biodegradable Replace fossil fuel? Made from oilseeds Decreases harmful emissions Use of Ag crops 10% of cropland for biodiesel all domestic ag fuel would be produced domestically Biodiesel Advantages Reduce pollution through greenhouse gases Reduce global warming Biodegradable product Degrades into organic by 85% in 28 days Materials 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