Applications of Microbial Bioremediation Essay

Microbes are bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. The earth was formed 4.6 million years ago. And a few million years later, by 3.5 billion years ago, earth was already inhabited by a diversity of organisms. The earliest organism is Prokaryotes and within the next billion years, two distinct groups of prokaryotes called bacteria and archaea diverged. Eukaryotes cell evolved from a prokaryotes community, a host cell containing even smaller prokaryotes .The microbial world accounted for all known life forms for nearly 50 to 90% of Earth's history. We are still researching microbial organisms today in marine environment, extreme environments. A microbial observatory is an NSF-funded project dedicated to the discovery and characterization of novel microorganisms and microbial communities of diverse

Abstract: Microorganism need to live in ideal conditions so they can grow. This experiment was performed to determine if there was a greater number of microorganisms in Winthrop lake than Winthrop wetlands. We determined this hypothesis because the lake was bigger. We also made the hypothesis that the pH level of the lake was going to be higher than the wetlands. We tested out the hypothesis by going out to Winthrop lake and wetlands and collecting samples of water. Back in the lab, we examined the samples under a microscope and recorded all the organisms we could find on Excel. Also, we tested the pH levels of the

Identifying microorganisms can provide information on diagnosing diseases and discovering the most beneficial treatment possible. The purpose of this assignment was to identify an unknown microorganism using biochemical tests and various methods that were practiced in the microbiology laboratory. In this paper, I will discuss the processes of how I came to identify my unknown microorganism.

Prokaryotes are ubiquitous, successfully adapting to diverse environments as well as developing symbiotic relationships with host organisms (Lengeler, Drews, & Schlegel, 1999). Prokaryotes may have both autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics. A cyanobacteria is photosynthetic, commonly called blue-green algae, and may produce toxins (Crayton, 1993). Bacteria are most commonly associated in the general

Entering human body is not easy. The bacteria and other harmful materials can enter human body either via food or cuts and injuries on the skin. However, there foreign agents are not always welcomed in the human body. There are immune cells that fight harmful agents. The immunity system in the human body identifies harmful microbes like bacteria, viruses, and others and provides defense to the body against these substances. There are antigens present in viruses, fungi, or bacteria and these antigens are normally proteins or toxins, chemicals, drugs, etc. that show the presence of foreign harmful agent. The immunity system of man identifies these antigens and fights the microbes producing them.

These organisms need energy from nutrients to do their job (Advanced Biotech, 1995-2015). There are two types of this, bio stimulation and bio augmentation (Advanced Biotech, 1995-2015). In stimulation, nutrients are added to the water, therefore depending on the microbes being in the water (Advanced Biotech, 1995-2015). Not all forms of microbes can break down every type of bacteria. In the process of augmentation, scientifically chosen micro-organisms are added to the water and monitored, therefore being more effective than stimulation because it is positive that the organism(s) being added are the right type and will do the job (Advanced Biotech, 1995-2015). Some benefits to this process are that it is very effective in killing the bacteria and it will work quickly once it is effective. Once the bacteria and micro-organism types are identified, this method is sure to work. Once the organisms are added, it won’t be long before they are done breaking down the bacteria. However, there are some downsides. This method could take lots of time to find the right organisms to kill off the bacteria. Not only will it take long, but it could be costly to purchase the right type of micro-organism to kill of that specific type of

The identification of bacteria is a fundamental objective of microbiologists. It is essential to distinguish specific bacterial properties to understand the environment, physiology and disease. As new bacterial species emerge and existing ones evolve into different strains, it is imperative that microbiologists continue to isolate bacteria from the field, identify their findings and research newly discovered forms. Their discoveries can then be used to evaluate the types of microbial life that may be found in certain environments and the corresponding benefits or risks to those that dwell in those areas.

When we speak of the word “bacteria” some individuals may not recognize how large of a role these tiny organisms play in our everyday lives. Some may jump to the conclusion that bacteria are related to the spread of germs or sickness among the human population. Most microbes are harmless or beneficial (Matthews, 2015) and a large majority of these tiny microbes are extremely important in order to maintain the balance of living organisms and chemicals in our environment (Tortora, Funke, & Case, 2013).

In the past, and even in modern times like today, it has been vital to distinguish and determine the identities of microorganisms in the world. These identities are not only important in knowing what agent causes various diseases and the treatment to be used, but also in understanding how microbes can be beneficial and valuable to the human body and life as a whole. With that being said, upon beginning this lab, the purpose of this study was to identity and investigate an unknown microorganism by applying the methods that were previously learned and practiced in the microbiology laboratory portion of class.

Since they are so tightly bound within the cell, an agent must be used with a strong attraction to the toxins to pull them out. That agent is the chemical EDTA. This is a man-made amino acid that is FDA approved for the removal of lead. It has been in use since the 1950s. It is also known to have an affinity for other heavy metals and can pull those out of the cells of the body as well. Once bound to the EDTA, the heavy metals are flushed out through the urine.

Fruitvale was a perfect town. There was a nice creek (Strawberry Creek) that dogs and children could play in and a very good diner that families could eat out at. Fruitvale was a mini fairy-tale land, until they hit reality. Fruitvale was recently contaminated by a No-Bug Pesticide that farmers had been using to get rid of the bugs eating their crops. Twelve wells were tested and the No-Bug Pesticide had not contaminated the Fruitvale Municipal Water Well yet. After one year, we tested all of the wells again to see how far the contaminant has spread. We have found that Fruitvale has approximately three years to get Fruitvale de-contaminated. We want to keep the cost at a minimum and all of the Fruitvale residents safe. To meet these goals, we hypothesize that bioremediation would be the most efficient way to accomplish the following task of making Fruitvale a safe

Our body is constantly working to rid itself of unwanted materials and toxins - and it does an amazing job at this. But, with the sheer number of toxins that we come in contact with - our body becomes overwhelmed and the natural process can't keep up with eliminating everything it should in order for us to remain healthy.

Microorganisms senses and respond to changes in environment. Certain types of Gram-positive bacteria species such as certain Bacillus and Clostridium species forms endospores when encountering environmental stress such as nutrient starvation [34] as shown in Fig 27. The bacterial spores differ significantly from the corresponding vegetative cells. Spores are metabolically dormant and exhibit resistance properties making them highly resistant to many treatments including extremes of temperature, radiation and chemical biocides[34] . The extraordinary resistance properties of endospores make them of particular importance because they are not easily killed by common biocidal agents.

of growth usually involves the use of physical or chemical agents which either kill or prevent the

First, we will discuss the basic makeup of the bacteria. A. borkumensis is a rod shaped bacteria with no flagella that was discovered in 1998. It is aerobic and halophilic, meaning it gains energy from oxygen and tends to thrive in salty environments, such as seas and oceans. Also, A. borkumensis is considered an alkane degrader, as it can eat alkanes, and use this as a source of energy (Alcanivorax, n.d.). A single A. borkumensis is 2.0 to 3.0 micrometers in length; unless they survived solely on an n-alkane diet, where they were found to only be 1.0 to 1.5 micrometers in length. The bacteria is roughly 0.4 to 0.7 micrometers in diameter (Buss, 2010).