Environmental Products of Biotechnology Project by: Alex Burd and Jacai McClendon.

Environmental Products of Biotechnology

Project by: Alex Burd and Jacai McClendon

Methane Gas as Energy SourceAccording 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 (CO2). 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.

Pros and Cons:Methane Gas as Energy Source

+ Pros• Reduces 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.

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.

Pros and Cons: Plastic Products Made From Corn

+ Pros• Make 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.

Biodegradable ProductsBiodegradable 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.

Pros and Cons:Biodegradable Products

+ Pros• Decreases 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.

Enviro-PigThe 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.

Pros and Cons:Enviro-Pig

+ Pros• Reduces 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.

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.

Pros and Cons:Biodiesel (Bio-fuel)

+ Pros• Less 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.

BibliographyCorn Products• http://www.biodegradablestore.com/• http://www.ecoproductsstore.com/compostable_plastic_pla_cups-

beer_cups_corn_plastic_cups_printed_cups.html• http://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 Gas• http://www.kub.org/wps/portal/!ut/p/

c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gPC1OnYE8TIwN3d0cjA6MQc5-QINdAIwMDc_2CbEdFAJ952_o!/

• http://www.physorg.com/news96988141.html• http://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-basics

Bibliography Cont’dEnviro-Pig• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enviropig• http://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.shtml• http://energysources4thefuture.yolasite.com/biodiesel.php• http://www.sriconsulting.com/CEH/Public/Reports/205.0000/

Globe Picture• http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/Facstaff/faculty/tezer/ezer.html

Questions1. What produces methane?2. What were traditional plastic

products made from?3. What is the purpose of

biodegradable products?4. What species of pigs are the Enviro-

Pigs?5. What is one negative impact from

biodiesel?