Describe

BIODEGRADATION

b.stev

these microbes grow in

10-35oC + H2O +decaying organic matter

the process gives off :

heat + gases

(Wikipedia, 2008)

(Wikipedia, 2008)

(Wikipedia, 2008)

How long do some common things take to

degrade?

Tetrapaks 1-5

yrs

75 days for a

Biodegradable

Plastic Bag OR

Paper & Styrofoam

Cups

Plastic Bags 10/20yrs

Orange Peels 1 month

Cotton rags 1-5 mth

Paper 2-5 mth

(Wikipedia, 2008)

XENOBIOTIC COMPOUNDSCOMPOUNDS

Industry releases many chemicals,

these are often utilised by microbes

dioxins from chlorine bleaching

human hormones near sewage pipes

(Wikipedia, 2008)

Chlorobenzenes

2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic

acid

Nitroaromatic compounds

Chloroalkanes

Herbicide

Atrazene

can ALL sustain microbial processes

MODIFICATION: the chemical is altered for processes CONJUGATION: use is made of any genetic material

EXCRETION: disposing of unwanted material

a 3 phase process

Bibliography

Pollution Issues. (2007). Biodegradation. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http//: www.pollutionissues.com/A- Bo/Biodegradation.html

Wikipedia. (2008). Biodegradation – wikipedia , the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http//:www.en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Biodegradable

Www.molecular-plant-biotechnology.info. (2008). Types of recalcitrant xenobiotic compounds, halocarbons, synthetic. Retrieved September 9, 2008, from http:// www.molecular-plant-biotechnology.info/ environmental-biotechnology/microrganisms-involved-in-aerobic-d igestion.htm