Environmental Environmental ProtectionProtection

Essential Idea: Biotechnology can be used in the prevention and mitigation of

contamination from industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes.

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TOKTOK

Emergent properties are the outcome of the interaction of the elements of a system. In what context is a reductionist approach to science productive and in what context is a reductionist approach problematic?

BioremediationBioremediation

In response to environmental pollution incidents, various methods of cleanup can be employed. Bioremediation Physical and Chemical procedures.

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BioremediationBioremediation

Various physical and chemical means are often used to clean up a polluted area. Detergents Pressure washers

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BioremediationBioremediation

Physically scrubbing polluted areas with chemicals can also be used during clean up.

http://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/pollution-control/put-bioremediation-into-pollution-toolkit

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Use of MicroorganismsUse of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are often used in bioremediation.

http://biologybiozine.com/articles/unit-8-animals/the_loss_of_biodiversity-php

Bioremediation--How it Bioremediation--How it WorksWorks

Generally, some toxic substance is spilled into the environment.

The waste kills most bacteria, but a few survive.

The bacteria which survive can be cultured and used to break down the waste.

Bacteria can also be engineered to break down the waste by inserting the correct gene/plasmid into the genome of the bacterium.

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BioremediationBioremediation

The bacteria may change the waste into something less toxic, into smaller parts, or break it down completely.

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Bioremediation-Examples:Bioremediation-Examples: When oil is spilled, it poses

many challenges for cleanup.

Benzene and other types of polycyclic aromatic compounds are found the spill.

The tendency for the oil to bind tightly to soil particles poses challenges for cleanup.

It throws off the carbon-nitrogen balance and hinders microbial growth.

http://www.tanushchem.com/benzene.htm

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Certain genera of bacteria, such as Marinobacter and Pseudomonas are often used in the cleanup efforts. Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus is a genus

of proteobacteria found in sea water and readily degrades oceanic oil spills which often included aromatic compounds like benzene.

Bioremediation-Examples:Bioremediation-Examples:

Both images: https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/File:Screen_shot_2012-12-14_at_11.23.24_AM.png

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Some members of the Pseudomonas genus such as Pseudomonas aerugnosa and P. putida are used to metabolize hydrocarbons found in oil spills.

Bioremediation-Examples:Bioremediation-Examples:

http://www.agriculture.gov.bb/agri/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=704:amazing-and-interesting-bacteria-part-2&catid=140:analytical-services&Itemid=132

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Methyl mercury is a common environmental pollutant from industry and can be broken down by many Pseudomonas species such as P. putida. The remaining mercury can be collected and removed from the environment.

Bioremediation-Examples:Bioremediation-Examples:

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BiofilmsBiofilms

According to the IUPAC, a biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms in which cells that are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) adhere to each other and/or to a surface.

EPS is a sugary, molecular strand that helps to develop complex 3D structures. This makes the biofilm stronger and enables it to survive.

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BiofilmsBiofilms Biofilms possess emergent properties:

Initial attachment: Growth:

Irreversible attachment: Maturation I: Maturation II:

Dispersion:

http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/node/2390

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Initial AttachmentInitial Attachment

The formation of a biofilm begins with the attachment of microorganisms to a surface.

Initially these attachments are weak and reversible, due to Van der Waals interactions.

http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/node/2390

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Irreversible AttachmentIrreversible Attachment

Later the attachment becomes more permanent as bacterial structures such as pili get involved in the attachment.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2180/10/57/figure/F6?highres=y

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Maturation IMaturation I

Cells of the biofilm communicate with other cells via quorum sensing.

Quorum sensing is known to be involved in the formation of a biofilm in numerous bacterial species.

http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/node/2410

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Maturation IIMaturation II

Once colonization has begun, the biofilm grows through cell division and recruitment of other bacteria.

Most biofilms are diverse mixtures of many species of bacteria, fungi, algae, yeasts, protozoa, and many other microorganisms.

https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/File:Microbes_in_stream_biofilms.jpg

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Additionally, this stage is also characterized by the growth of polysaccharide matrices and inclusion of materials from the surrounding environment.

These matrices act as an enclosure for the biofilm and increase the resiliency of the structure.

Maturation IIMaturation II

http://medcraveonline.com/JMEN/images/JMEN-01-00014-g002.png

DispersionDispersion Dispersion is the final stage of the

formation of a biofilm. During this stage, the biofilm is well

established and only changes in shape and size.

This stage allows the colony to spread to new surfaces.

http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/node/2390

Ubiquity of BiofilmsUbiquity of Biofilms

Biofilms are ubiquitous, and are very important to the health and well being of the economy, and the people who live in it.

Biofilms cost our economy billions of dollars each year. Energy loss Equipment damage Product contamination Medical infections

https://www.biofilm.montana.edu/resources/images/biofilm-general-interest/biofilms-impact-human-health-and-industries.html

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Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are often highly resistant to antimicrobial agents.

Biofilms have properties that differ quite a bit from the free-floating bacteria that comprise them.

The dense extracellular matrix and outer layer of cells acts to protect the cells in the interior.

Horizontal gene transfer between organisms facilitates a stable, more resilient biofilm.

Ubiquity of BiofilmsUbiquity of Biofilms

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Not all biofilms are more resistant to antimicrobials.

Some biofilms show just as much susceptibility to antimicrobial agents as free-floating bacteria.

Ubiquity of BiofilmsUbiquity of Biofilms

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Biofilms in BioremediationBiofilms in Bioremediation

Biofilms offer a huge potential for helping to clean up environmental damage, hazardous waste clean up, and wastewater treatment.

http://www.slideserve.com/kurt/bioremediation-and-biofilms

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Biofilm and Wastewater Biofilm and Wastewater TreatmentTreatment

Biofilms play an important role in wastewater treatment.

Trickle filter beds are often built to facilitate the formation of a biofilm.

The biofilm feeds off of the nutrients in the waste stream.

https://powersoregonsewer.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/2013-wwtp-trickling-filter.jpg

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Environmental Problems Environmental Problems and Biofilmsand Biofilms

For all the good that biofilms do, there are many problems they can cause.

They can clog or corrode pipes.

They can contaminate surfaces of food production facilities.

They can contaminate waterways through the transfer of ballast water from ships.

http://trustwater.com/markets/hospitality/biofilm-removal/