Esta asignatura se imparte íntegramente en ingles. The most relevant aspects of the biotechnological applications that can contribute to the recovery of the environment (soils, water and atmosphere) will be introduced. How to obtain new bioproducts (bioplastics and biofuels, among others) by clean technologies will also be presented. After studying the metabolic pathways involved in the removal of natural and xenobiotics pollutants, the most appropriate bioremediation processes to remove such pollution will also be studied. As field practices, wastewater and solid waste treatment plants will be visited, as well as companies that produce biofuels.

Mainly, the students should develop ethical commitment, motivation for quality and participation in social debate, showing sensitivity to environmental and social issues. Significant effort will also be dedicated to learn how to prepare a research proposal for funding. Furthermore, to have an integrated vision of the metabolism, of the systems of adaptation to the physiological and environmental changes. Finally, to know and apply well the criteria of evaluation of biotechnological risks and the protocols of performance and safety in an industrial plant.

Origin and composition of pollutants. The Ecosphere. Biogeochemical cycles. Biodiversity and sustainable development. Origin and accumulation of pollutants. Natural pollutants and their biodegradation. Xenobiotic contaminants. Economic and social aspects of environmental pollution. The colors of Biotechnology.



Cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. Biodegradation of carbon compounds. Methanogenesis. Biofixation of CO2. Dynamics of the atmospheric ozone layer. Global warming. Greenhouse effect and climate change. Biofixation of N2. Photoasimilation of nitrate and nitrite. Assimilation of ammonium. Nitrification and denitrification. Assimilation of sulfate. Acid rain and related issues.



Biodegradation of natural and xenobiotics compounds. Degradation of cellulose and lignin. Degradation of hydrocarbons. Biodegradation of aromatic compounds. Degradation of recalcitrant substances, PCBs and explosives.



Bioremediation of water, gas and soil in situ and ex situ. Immobilization of microorganisms and enzymes. Aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Sewage treatment. Photosynthetic assimilation of contaminants. Elimination of nutrients (nitrates, nitrites and phosphates) from potentially potable and residual waters. Treatment of gaseous effluents. Accumulation of metals. Elimination of heavy metals. Bioremediation with microalgae.



Bioproducts and renewable biofuels Biodegradable plastics. Polylactates and polyhidoxyalkanoates. Bioethanol and Biodiesel Other environmental applications such as biomining . Carbon desulfurization. Biotechnological control of pests. Bioinsecticides. Biofertilization. Bioproduction of hydrogen gas as a sustainable fuel.

The main content of this course will be taught by providing the theory background, as well as by developing interactive methodologies for learning. In oreder to implement the gained knowledge, students will be given the task to write a grant research proposal on one of the topics related to the course content of their choice. Additionally, the students will have to present a seminar related to the list of topics of the course. In both cases the students will have to search for journal articles with to complete their work. In this way they get used to looking for and obtaining specialized bibliography. To follow the theoretical explanations the students will have in the virtual classroom (e-Gela) all the slides, complementary readings and other teaching materials used in the course. In addition to the explanation of the theoretical lessons the students will participate in field visits to water and waste treatment plants described in the course.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 35
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 35
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 10
  • Individual works (%): 20

Evaluation system:



This course teaching will be evaluated by (i) an exam that includes test questions that will represent 35% of the final grade and a written project proposal that will represent 35% of the final grade; (ii) seminars (20%) and (iii) mandatory field practices (10%).

Evaluation system:





The extraordinary call will consist of a test that will worth 100% of the qualification.

There is no single book that can be called a textbook. There will be an open e-Gela page of the subject that will include multimedia materials, complementary reading and other didactic tools to follow the course.

Basic bibliography

Ram Lakhan (Ed.). Principles and Applications of Environmental Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future. Singh, Springer Editorial. 2017. 287 pp.

Banerjee, B.R. Environmental Biotechnology. Oxford University Press. 2008. 400 pp.

Evans, G.M. & Furlong, J.C. Environmental Biotechnology: Theory and Application Wiley. 2002. 300 pp.

Evans, G.M. & Furlong, J.C. (Eds). Environmental Biotechnology - Theory and Application. John Wiley & Sons. 2002. 286 pp.

Joshi, R. Environmental Biotechnology. Isha Books. 2006. 284 pp.

Mohapatra, P.K. Textbook of Environmental Biotechnology. I.K. International Publishing House. 2007. 664 pp.

Jördening H.J. & Winter, J. (Eds). Environmental Biotechnology: Concepts and Applications. Wiley. 2004. 488 pp.

Marandi, R. & Shaeri, A. Environmental Biotechnology. SBS Publishers. 2009. 679 pp.

Oestgaard, K. Environmental Biotechnology. John Wiley & Sons. 2008. 600 pp.

Rittmann, B.E. & McCarty, P.L. Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications. Mcgraw-Hill Publishing Co. 2001. 768 pp.

Scragg, A. Environmental Biotechnology. Oxford University Press. 2005. 456 pp.

In-depth bibliography

Agathos, S.N. & Reineke, W. (Eds) Biotechnology for the Environment: Soil Remediation. Kluwer Academic Publishers. 2002. 150 pp.
Agathos, S.N & Reineke, W. (Eds). Biotechnology for the Environment: Wastewater Treatment and Modeling, Waste Gas Handling. Kluwer Academic Publ. 2003. 288 pp.
Ahmed, N. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology. Garland Science. 2001. 196 pp.
Crawford, R.L. & Crawford, D.L. (Eds). Bioremediation: Principles and Applications. Cambridge University Press. 2005. 416 pp.
Eriksson, K.-E.L. (Ed.). Biotechnology in the Pulp and Paper Industry. Springer Verlag. 1997. 339 pp.
Kawatra, K., Komar, S. & Natarajan K.A. (Eds). Mineral Biotechnology: Microbial Aspects of Mineral Beneficiation, Metal Extraction, and Environmental Control
Society Mining Metallurgy & Exploration. 2001. 263 pp.
Ecotoxicology Interface (Biotechnology Research). Cambridge University Press. 1998. 313 pp.
Rawlings, D.E. & Johnson, D.B. (Eds). Biomining. Springer. 2007. 314 pp.
Shareefdeen, Z. & Singh, A. (Eds). Biotechnology for Odor and Air Pollution Control Springer. 2008. 409 pp.
Viswanath Buddolla (Ed.) Environmental Biotechnology . Alpha Science International Ltd Editorial, 2016. 330 pp.
Daniel Vallero (Ed.) Environmental Biotechnology A Biosystems Approach (2nd Edition.)Elsevier Editorial. 2015. 746 pp.

Journals

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Trends in Biotechnology, Biotechnology, Environmental Science Technology, Environmental Pollution, Water Research

Web addresses

http://www.efb-central.org/
http://www.bio.org/
http://www.ebcrc.com.au/
http://www3.inecol.edu.mx/iseb/
http://www-esd.lbl.gov/CEB/