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Environmental biotechnology applies biotechnology principles and techniques to study and manage the natural environment by using microorganisms, plants, and other biological agents to benefit the environment such as cleaning contaminated sites and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is an area of active research focusing on understanding microorganisms, their ecosystem functions, genetic material, and biochemical processes responsible for environmental transformations.

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33 views2 pages

Eb 1

Environmental biotechnology applies biotechnology principles and techniques to study and manage the natural environment by using microorganisms, plants, and other biological agents to benefit the environment such as cleaning contaminated sites and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is an area of active research focusing on understanding microorganisms, their ecosystem functions, genetic material, and biochemical processes responsible for environmental transformations.

Uploaded by

Xenia Ezra Amanta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental biotechnology is a field that applies biotechnology principles and techniques to


the study and management of the natural environment. It involves the use of microorganisms,
plants, and other biological agents to perform tasks that benefit the environment, such as
cleaning up contaminated sites, enhancing soil health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Concepts and Applications

1. Definition and Scope:


• Environmental biotechnology encompasses the development, use, and regulation
of biological systems for the remediation of contaminated environments (land, air,
water) and for environment-friendly processes.
• It includes the optimal use of nature to produce renewable energy, food, and
nutrients in a synergistic cycle where waste from one process becomes the
feedstock for another.
2. Applications:
• Pollution Remediation: Utilizing bio-augmentation (introducing specific bacteria
to degrade pollutants) and bio-stimulation (ramping up existing microbial
populations by providing nutrients) to clean up pollution.
• Agriculture: Developing pest- and disease-resistant GM crops, using bio-
fertilizers, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
• Renewable Energy: Producing biofuels and generating renewable energy
through biological processes.
3. Research and Development:
• Environmental biotechnology is an area of active research and development,
focusing on the understanding of microorganisms and their ecosystem functions,
the role of genetic material, and biochemical processes responsible for
environmental transformations.
• It involves the application of advanced techniques such as synthetic biology and
bioinformatics to address complex environmental challenges.
4. Educational Programs:
• Graduate degree programs in environmental biotechnology offer opportunities in
various specialties, including the study of plants, animals, and microbes, and their
interactions with other organisms and environments.
5. Significance:
• Environmental biotechnology plays a significant role in achieving food security,
climate change mitigation, and adaptation, and in realizing the Millennium
Development Goals through the advancement of small-scale agro-ecological
farming systems.
• It contributes to sustainable solutions by reducing waste, controlling pollution,
and conserving biodiversity, while also offering economic benefits like cost
efficiency and job creation.
Environmental biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, and
technology to address environmental issues and promote sustainable development.

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