Environmental Products of Biotechnology - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Environmental Products of Biotechnology

Project by: Alex Burd and Jacai McClendonSlide2

Methane Gas as Energy Source

According to dictionary.com, methane is defined as a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, CH4 , the main constituent of marsh gas and the firedamp of coal mines, obtained commercially from natural

gas.

To

create methane, you have to obtain it from underground coal mines. They are 20 times better at producing methane than carbon

dioxide (

CO

2

).

In coal mines, organic matter

decays.

This produces methane when it is burned in a gas turbine. When burned, it creates

methane

. From there, it is pumped into homes in many forms including as electricity. Then, methane is used to power electrical items including TVs, computers and even heaters and air conditioners. The purpose of this product is to find a more eco-friendly alternative to help save the nonrenewable oil in the Earth. Methane was found in Lake Maggiore on the Italy/Swiss border by Alessandro Volta between 1776 and 1778. Slide3

Pros and Cons:

Methane Gas as Energy Source+ ProsReduces fuel usage.

Reduces air pollution, in both local and national areas.

Reduces carbon dioxide pollution

More environmentally friendly.

- Cons

Can be harmful if not handled correctly.

Can turn into a greenhouse gas.Slide4

Plastic Products Made From Corn

Before recently, plastic materials have been made using oil or petroleum. Now, scientists and biologists can make these same materials, but use USA corn to do so. To biodegrade, the corn products take about 30 to 45 days compared to years if

more

of normal plastic products.

After they biodegrade, they become natural compounds.

The

purpose of these products

is to become more conscious of the environment and its needs by reducing the amount of natural resources used. These products are being researched in Canada, England and the USA.Slide5

Pros and Cons:

Plastic Products Made From Corn+ ProsMake less global warming.

Less excess waste

Produces less pollution.

-

Cons

Cannot be mixed with other real plastic when recycled; it has to be dealt with separately.Slide6

Biodegradable Products

Biodegradable products are made and function exactly like normal plastic products, but break-down quickly and compost completely leaving no remains. These are as strong and durable as the conventional plastic items. They are made from renewable cellulose wood, sugar cane, corn and grass

fibers. Biodegradable products are petroleum free, impermeable and non-toxic. The purpose of these products are to shrink the size of landfills and pollution by using renewable resources. They are

currently made

in Taiwan, China and the USA.Slide7

Pros and Cons:

Biodegradable Products+ ProsDecreases the amount of trash.

Help reach Green Paper Products‘® goal of a “no-trash future”.

The products are rich in minerals.

Reduces the demand for chemical fertilizers.

- Cons

May cost more than traditional plastic products.Slide8

Enviro-Pig

The Enviro-Pigs is a genetically altered group of Yorkshire pigs that can digest Phosphorus better than normal Yorkshire pigs. They make a specific type of enzyme called phytate in the salivary glands. When the pig chews, the phytate mixes with the feed and the enzyme degrades the indigestible phytate. The purpose of the Enviro-Pigs is to produce

less Phosphorus in the pig manure. The purpose of the pigs are to reduce the amount of Phosphorus pollution in the atmosphere. The

Enviro-Pigs

were first developed at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.Slide9

Pros and Cons:

Enviro-Pig+ ProsReduces the food cost for the pigs.

Reduces Phosphorus pollution.

- Cons

If it gets into a water source, it will start algae

growth that can kill many fish species.Slide10

Biodiesel (Bio-fuel)

Biodiesel is a bio-fuel that, in the long run, comes from the sun. It is made of vegetables and has no petroleum, but it can be mixed with any amount of it to become a biodiesel mixture. It is made during a process called transesterification where glycerin

is separated from

fat

or vegetable

oil.

Biodiesel

is a completely renewable energy source that can come from soybeans, canola and mustard seeds. It has equal or even better engine performance than traditional diesel fuel. Also, they do not require special storage. Biodiesels are being made in the United States, China, France and the Middle East.Slide11

Pros and Cons:

Biodiesel (Bio-fuel)+ ProsLess toxic than table salt.

Breaks down as fast as sugar.

Decreases dangerous emissions by 80%.

- Cons

Can reduce the amount of food

to eat.

Increase in nitrogen oxide in biodiesel emissions.Slide12

Bibliography

Corn Productshttp://www.biodegradablestore.com/http://www.ecoproductsstore.com/compostable_plastic_pla_cups-beer_cups_corn_plastic_cups_printed_cups.htmlhttp://www.bagwellpromotions.com/cornplastic/http://www.greenworld365.com/what-are-corn-starch-biocompostables-aka-pla-plastics/

http://www.green-living.com/corn-infant-bowl-and-spoon.aspx

http://www.pacificcorn.com/

Biodegradable Products

http://www.bpiworld.org/

http://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-products.aspx

http://www.biodegradablestore.com/http://www.infobarrel.com/Biodegradable_Products_Institute_-_Why_It's_Important http://www.cater4you.co.uk/blog/uploaded_images/bio-straws-796431.jpgMethane Gashttp://www.kub.org/wps/portal/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gPC1OnYE8TIwN3d0cjA6MQc5-QINdAIwMDc_2CbEdFAJ952_o!/http://www.physorg.com/news96988141.htmlhttp://www.bionomicfuel.com/methane-gas-can-be-harmful-if-not-contained-or-burned/http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=natural_gas_home-basicsSlide13

Bibliography Cont’d

Enviro-Pighttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enviropighttp://www.uoguelph.ca/enviropig/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100330-bacon-pigs-enviropig-dead-zones/

Biodiesel

(Bio-fuel)

http://www.propelfuels.com/content/about_biodiesel/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

http://www.biodiesel.org/

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/biodiesel.shtmlhttp://energysources4thefuture.yolasite.com/biodiesel.phphttp://www.sriconsulting.com/CEH/Public/Reports/205.0000/Globe Picturehttp://www.ccpo.odu.edu/Facstaff/faculty/tezer/ezer.htmlSlide14

Questions

What produces methane?What were traditional plastic products made from?What is the purpose of biodegradable products?

What species of pigs are the

Enviro-Pigs

?

What is one negative impact from

biodiesel

?