Biodegradation/Bioremediation

Question 1

What is Biodegradation/Bioremediation?

Answer 1

• The use of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi and plants to degrade chemical compounds in the environment
• These organisms degrade the chemical compounds through natural processes to obtain nutrients and derive energy

Question 2

How much rubbish is generated by Americans per year?

Answer 2

250 million tons

Question 3

How much waste is recycled and composted in the USA per year?

Answer 3

~83 million tons

Question 4

What does the segregation of waste allow?

Answer 4

Allows biodegradable waste to be converted into a BIOGAS called methane

Question 5

What are the FOUR biochemical conversions in the formation of BIOGAS?

Answer 5

1. Hydrolysis
2. Acidogenesis
3. Acetogenesis
4. Methanogenesis

Question 6

What is created by the leakage of chemicals through the ground?

Answer 6

Leachate

Question 7

How is oxidation used in bioremediation?

Answer 7

Removal of an electron from a pollutant can often make chemical structure less harmful

Question 8

What are some ions that are often involved in REDOX reactions?

Answer 8

• Oxygen
• Fe3+
• Sulfate
• Nitrate

Question 9

What are some harmless molecules that are produced by the oxidation of organic compounds?

Answer 9

Methane & Carbon Dioxide

Question 10

What are some common electron acceptors in anaerobes?

Answer 10

Nitrate & Sulfate

Question 11

What is Phytoremediation?

Answer 11

Using plants to clean up chemicals in the soil, water, and air

Question 12

How many plant species can take up toxic materials?

Answer 12

350

Question 13

Which fertilisers can be applied to an oil spill to stimulate bioremediation?

Answer 13

Iron
Nitrogen
Phosphorus

Question 14

What is involved in the Slurry Phase of soil bioremediation?

Answer 14

Soil is mixed with water and fertiliser and oxygen are added

Question 15

What is involved in the Solid Phase of bioremediation?

Answer 15

1. Composting
2. Biopiles
3. Landfarming

Question 16

Who developed a Pseudomonas strain which could degrade many of the chemical components of crude oil?

Answer 16

Anada Chakraberty

Question 17

How is oxidation used in bioremediation?

Answer 17

Removal of an electron from a pollutant can often make chemical structure less harmful

Question 18

What is the function of sunflowers in phytoremediation?

Answer 18

Removal of radioactive materials/wastes

Question 19

How is the crude oil degrading Pseudomonas strain made?

Answer 19

Conjugation

Question 20

How does the crude oil degrading Pseudomonas strain degrade specifically?

Answer 20

• Napthalene
• Octane
• Xylene

Question 21

What was the largest accidental marine oil spill?

Answer 21

Deepwater Horizon due to explosion on oil rig

Question 22

How was 8% of the total oil recovered from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

Answer 22

Burning and Skimming

Question 23

What was the percentage of oil degraded by bioremediation at the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

Answer 23

50%

Question 24

How many tons of Methane, Propane, and Ethane were degraded by bacteria during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

Answer 24

200 000 tons