Essential Idea:
Biotechnology can be used in the prevention and mitigation of
contamination from industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes
Understandings:
- Responses to pollution incidents can involve bioremediation combined with physical and chemical procedures
- Microorganisms are used in bioremediation
- Some pollutants are metabolised by microorganisms
- Cooperative aggregates of microorganisms can form biofilms
- Microorganisms in biofilms cooperate through quorum sensing
- Biofilms possess emergent properties
- Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents
- Bacteriophages are used in the disinfection of water systems
Applications:
- Degradation of oil by Pseudomonas
- Degradation of benzene by halophilic bacteria such as Marinobacter
- Conversion by Pseudomonas of methyl mercury into elemental mercury
- Use of biofilms in trickle filter beds for sewage treatment
Skills:
- Evaluation of data or media reports on environmental problems caused by biofilms