Biodegradation

Many chemicals that humans produce have harmful impacts on the environment. These impacts include negative health effects on wildlife and vegetation. The best way to keep the environment safe is to prevent harmful substances that we produce from entering it. However, this isnt always easy because most human activities introduce harmful chemicals into the environment.

The concentration of pollutants can be changed using different techniques:

1. Dispersion: is the ___scattering___ of substances ___away___ from its source. 2. Dilution: reduces the ___concentration____ of a pollutant by mixing the polluting substance with large quantities of _air__ or __water_. 3. Biodegradation: is the __breakdown__ of materials by ____micro-organisms___ such as earthworms, bacteria, and fungi; bio refers to __living things___ and degrade means to __break up__.

Products labelled as environmentally friendly or biodegradable may still contain __non-biodegradable__ components.

Factors affecting biodegradation: 1. Temperature 2. Soil Moisture 3. pH 4. Oxygen Supply 5. Nutrient Availability

Three examples of biodegrading organisms:

__

Algae__

__

Bacteria__

__

Fungi__

__Aerobic__ organisms use __oxygen__ to break down materials. __Anaerobic__ organisms do not need __oxygen__ to break down materials. The 4 Rs: 1. Reduce 2. Reuse 3. Recycle 4. Recover Which of the 4 Rs has the most potential to change things? Why? Reduce, because if goods are not manufactured in the first place, then not only will they not be present to be discarded, but there will be a saving on the materials and energy needed to make these goods.

One short-term response to waste disposal is a ___sanitary___ landfill

___Leachate___ is the liquid that results as wastes decompose and rainwater filters down through the landfill.

ACTIVITY 1 - Rate of Biodegradation of Household Waste

Common household materials are listed below. Match each material with the time you think it takes for that material to completely biodegrade.

Material cotton fabric paper orange peels wool fabric cigarette butts milk cartons plastic shopping bags leather nylon fabric tin cans aluminum cans

Time to Biodegrade 1-5 months 2-5 months 6 months 1-5 years 1-12 years 5 years 10-20 years 25-40 years 30-40 years 50-100 years 80-100 years

plastic 6-pack holder rings 450 + years

Table 3.6 - Rate of Biodegradation of Household Wastes. Science Focus 9.

ACTIVITY 2 Below are examples of waste materials. Determine whether they are biodegradable or non-biodegradable by placing a checkmark in the appropriate box. Waste Material Biodegradable Non- biodegradable Banana peel Styrofoam Leaves Glass Plastic bag Cell phones Truck tires Hand soap Will an apple decay faster in warm soil or cold soil? Explain your answer.

Would you rather live in an aerobic environment, or an anaerobic environment? Explain your answer.

Is the process of biodegradation reliable to remove all harmful chemicals from the environment, or are other processes necessary to make the chemicals safe?