Environmental Biotechnology
1st Edition
A Biosystems Approach
Description
Environmental Biotechnology: A Biosystems Approach introduces a systems approach to environmental biotechnology and its applications to a range of environmental problems. A systems approach requires a basic understanding of four disciplines: environmental engineering, systems biology, environmental microbiology, and ecology. These disciplines are discussed in the context of their application to achieve specific environmental outcomes and to avoid problems in such applications. The book begins with a discussion of the background and historical context of contemporary issues in biotechnology. It then explains the scientific principles of environmental biotechnologies; environmental biochemodynamic processes; environmental risk assessment; and the reduction and management of biotechnological risks. It describes ways to address environmental problems caused or exacerbated by biotechnologies. It also emphasizes need for professionalism in environmental biotechnological enterprises. This book was designed to serve as a primary text for two full semesters of undergraduate study (e.g., Introduction to Environmental Biotechnology or Advanced Environmental Biotechnology). It will also be a resource text for a graduate-level seminar in environmental biotechnology (e.g., Environmental Implications of Biotechnology).
Key Features
- Provides a systems approach to biotechnologies which includes the physical, biological, and chemical processes in context
- Case studies include cutting-edge technologies such as nanobiotechnologies and green engineering
- Addresses both the applications and implications of biotechnologies by following the life-cycle of a variety of established and developing biotechnologies
Readership
Researchers in environmental biology, nanotechnology, systems biology and microbiology; environmental engineers; scientists at engineering and remediation companies and public organizations; practitioners in applied biology fields; graduate and post-doctoral students in these areas of science
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Environmental Biotechnology: An Overview
Biochemodynamics
Assessing the Biotechnological Impacts
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Discussion Box: Little Things Matter in a Chaotic World
The Environmental Biotechnology Discipline
Biotechnology and Society
Risk and Reliability: Some Forethought
Beyond Biotechnological Applications
Terminology
Eureka!
Oh No!
The Science of Environmental Biotechnology
Boxes and Envelopes
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 2: A Question of Balance: Using versus Abusing Biological Systems
Environmental Biomimicry
Engineered Systems Inspired by Biology
Environmental Biochemodynamics
Biophile Cycling
Sequestration
Carbon Sequestration in Soil
Active Sequestration
Nitrogen and Sulfur Biochemodynamics
Review Questions
Notes and Resources
Chapter 3: Environmental Biochemodynamic Processes
Cellular Thermodynamics
Importance of Free Energy in Microbial Metabolism
Dissolution
Phase Partitioning
Thermodynamics in Abiotic and Biotic Systems
Volatility/Solubility/Density Relationships
Environmental Balances
Fugacity
Sorption
Volatilization
Bioavailability
Persistent Bioaccumulating Toxic Substances
Discussion Box: The Inuit and Persistent Organic Pollutants
Extrinsic Factors
Biochemodynamic Persistence and Half-Life
Fugacity, Z Values, and Henry’s Law
Advection
Dispersion
Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Dispersion
Diffusion
Overall Effect of the Fluxes, Sinks and Sources
Biochemodynamic Transport Models
Level 1 Model
Level 2 Model
Level 3 Model
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 4: Systems
Biotechnological Systems
Putting Biology to Work
Scale
Systems Synergies: Biotechnological Analysis
Using Bioindicators
Biosensors
Relationship between Green Engineering and Biotechnology
Review Questions
Notes
Chapter 5: Environmental Risks of Biotechnologies
Estimating Biotechnological Risks
Dose-Response
Exposure Estimation
Discussion Box: Exposure Calculation
Direct Bioengineering Risk Calculations
Discussion Box: Cancer Risk Calculation
Discussion Box: Non-cancer Risk Calculation
Risk-based cleanup standards
Discussion Box: Treatment by Genetic Modification
Discussion Box: Risk-Based Contaminant Cleanup
Discussion Box: Biotechnical Communications
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 6: Reducing Biotechnological Risks
Case Study Box: Genetic Biocontrols of Invaders
Discussion Box: Discussion Box: Biochemodynamics of Pharmaceuticals
Risk Causes
Biographical Box: Sir Bradford Hill
Case Study Box: Managing Risks by Distinguishing between Progenitor and Genetically Modified Microbes
Failure: Human Factors Engineering
Utility as a Measure of Success
Failure Type 1: Mistakes and Miscalculations
Failure Type 2: Extraordinary Natural Circumstances
Failure Type 3: Critical Path
Failure Type 4: Negligence
Failure Type 5: Lack of Imagination
Bioterrorism: Bad Biotechnology
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 7: Applied Microbial Ecology: Bioremediation
Systematic View of Oxygen
Biodegradation and Bioremediation
Biochemodynamics of Biodegradation
Off-site Treatment
Digestion
Discussion Box: Biochemodynamic Films
Aerobic Biodegradation
Trickling Filter
Activated Sludge
Aeration Ponds
Anaerobic Biodegradation
Multimedia-Multiphase Bioremediation
Phytoremediation
Biomarkers
Bioengineering Considerations for Genetically Modified Organisms
Discussion Box: Measuring Biodegradation Success
Nitric Oxide as an Indicator of Degradation
Humility in Biotechnological Modeling
Developing an Indirect, Chemical Model of Microbial Activity
Model Comparison to Laboratory Study for Toluene Degradation
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 8: Biotechnological Implications: A Systems Approach
Systematic View of Biotechnological Risks
Applied Thermodynamics
Predicting Environmental Implications
Environmental Implications of Engineering Organisms
Genetic Engineering Basics
Conventional Breeding Approaches
Modification of Organisms without Introducing Foreign DNA
Modification of Organisms by Introducing Foreign DNA
Transfected DNA
Vector-borne DNA
Environmental Aspects of Cisgenic and Transgenic Organisms
Foreign DNA in Plants
Biochemodynamic Flow of Modified Genetic Material
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 9: Environmental Risks of Biotechnologies: Economic Sector Perspectives
Industrial Biotechnology
Production of Enzymes
The Organism
Health and Safety Regulations
Environmental Implications
Medical Biotechnology
Discussion Box: Patenting Life
Bio-Uptake and Bioaccumulation
Discussion Box: Hormonally Active Agents
Determining Estrogenicity
Environmental Fate of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
Treatment of EDCs in Drinking Water – UV applications
Modeling the UV/H2O2 Process
Environmental Implications
Animal Biotechnology
Agricultural Biotechnology
Discussion Box: “King Corn or Frankencorn”
Genetic Modification
Gene Flow
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 10: Addressing Biotechnological Pollutants
Cleaning Up Biotechnological Operations
Intervention at the Source of Contamination
Intervention at the Point of Release
Intervention during Transport
Intervention to Control the Exposure
Intervention at the Point of Response
Thermal Treatment of Biotechnological Wastes
Calculating Destruction Removal
Other Thermal Strategies
Nitrogen and Sulfur Problems
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 11: Analyzing the Environmental Implications of Biotechnologies
Discussion Box: Biological Agent: Stachybotrys
Life Cycle as an Analytical Methodology
Revisiting Failure and Blame
Environmental Accountability
Life Cycle Applications
Utility and the Benefit/Cost Analysis
Predicting Environmental Damage
Analysis of Biotechnological Implications
Checklist for Ethical Decision Making
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Chapter 12: Managing Biotechnologies
Bioengineering Perspectives
Systematic Biotechnology and the Status Quo
A Few Words about Environmental Ethics
Biotechnology Decision Tools
Accountability
Value
Informing Decisions
Green Engineering and Biotechnology
Green Engineering and Biotechnology
Discussion Box: Probability and Biotechnology
Risk Homeostasis and the Theory of Offsetting Behavior
Artifacts
Review Questions
Notes and Commentary
Glossary
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Details
- No. of pages:
- 750
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Academic Press 2010
- Published:
- 19th March 2010
- Imprint:
- Academic Press
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9780123750891
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780123785510
About the Author
Daniel Vallero
Dr. Daniel A. Vallero is an internationally recognized expert in environmental science and engineering. His four decades of research, teaching and professional experience in hazardous waste engineering and management have addressed a wide range of human health risk and ecological issues, from global climate change to the release of hazardous wastes. His research has advanced the state-of-the-science of air and water pollution measurement, models of potential exposures to chemicals in consumer products, and environmental impact assessments. He established the Engineering Ethics program and is a key collaborator in the Responsible Conduct of Research Program at Duke University. These programs introduce students, from first-year through PhD, to the complex relationships between science, technology and societal demands on the engineer. The lessons learned from the cases in this book are a fundamental part of Duke’s preparation of its future engineers to address the ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered during the careers of the next generation engineers. Dr. Vallero received a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science in City & Regional Planning from SIU, a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering (Environmental Health Sciences) from the University of Kansas, and a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Duke.
Affiliations and Expertise
Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA