BESC 402 (Behavioral Science 402)
Exam Questions and Answers Study
Guide
What is the scope of the problem of environmental contamination? - ANSWER>>-
Current environmental remediation market estimate is around $20 billion/yr
annual growth rate of 6-7%
- Around 60% of the environmental market is groundwater
- Market segments by clean up technology. in 2020, in situ vitrification had a 30%
market share
- Market can also be segmented by source (waste disposal sites, oil gas, etc.)
- More than 400,000 Brownfields need clean up
- Bioremediation has been used at over 100 superfund sites
How are hazardous chemicals classified? - ANSWER>>Characteristic Wastes
- Toxicity: poisonous or carcinogenic
- Corrosivity: strong acids and bases
- Ignitability: can catch fire
- Reactivity: unstable, explosive, react with water, gives off toxic gas
Listed Wastes
- F: common in manufacturing
- K: source-specific industries
What is the definition of Bioremediation? - ANSWER>>A process in which
biological catalysis acts on pollutants thereby remedying or eliminating
environmental contamination present in water, wastewater, sludge, soil, aquifer
material, or gas station
,Define Intrinsic Bioremediation - ANSWER>>Natural attenuation due to biological
action natural attenuation also can include other factors such as dispersion,
diffusion, dilution, abiotic transformation, adsorption
Simpler definition: A form of bioremediation that takes advantage of naturally
occurring bacteria' inherent ability to break down contaminants without relying
on engineering to speed up the process.
Define Engineered Bioremediation and the two main approaches used -
ANSWER>>Simpler definition: A type of remediation that increases the growth
and degradative activity of microorganisms by using engineered systems that
supply nutrients, electron acceptors, and/or other growth-stimulating materials.
Bioaugmentation: addition of microbes
Biostimulation: modifying the environment to stimulate microbes (nutrients, pH,
etc.)
What are the principles sources of groundwater contamination? - ANSWER>>-
Leaking underground storage tanks (450000)
- Municipal solids and hazardous wastes landfills (93000)
- Hazardous wastes management sites (18000)
- Unlined pits, ponds, and lagoons (180000)
- Household septic systems (20 million)
- Pesticide application areas (75 x 10^6) tons/yr
- Abandoned petroleum wells
-Surface spills
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation compared
to pump and treat and excavation? - ANSWER>>Advantages
- Cleanup occurs in situ; hazardous wastes transportation and liability costs
- Organic hazardous waste can be destroyed, eliminate long term liability
- Relies on natural biodegradation process; can be faster and cheaper
, can attack hard to withdraw hydrophobic pollutants
- Minimum land environmental disturbance
- Environmentally sound with public acceptance
- Does not dewater the aquifer due to pumping
- Can be used in conjunction with other treatment technologies
Disadvantages
- Certain wastes, such as heavy metals, are not eliminated by biological processes
- May require extensive monitoring
- Requirements for success and removal efficiency may vary considerably from
one site to another
- Some contaminants can be present at high concentrations that inhibit
microorganisms
- Can be a scientifically intensive technique
- There is a risk for accumulation of toxic biodegradation products
What are the requirements for Bioremediation? - ANSWER>>- Microorganisms
- Energy source
- Electron acceptors
- Moisture
- pH
- Nutrients
- Temperature
- Absence of Toxicity
- Removal of metabolites
- Absence of predators
- Active microbes
What types of fuel molecules can be used to support cellular growth? -
ANSWER>>- Glucose
- Fructose
- ATP
Exam Questions and Answers Study
Guide
What is the scope of the problem of environmental contamination? - ANSWER>>-
Current environmental remediation market estimate is around $20 billion/yr
annual growth rate of 6-7%
- Around 60% of the environmental market is groundwater
- Market segments by clean up technology. in 2020, in situ vitrification had a 30%
market share
- Market can also be segmented by source (waste disposal sites, oil gas, etc.)
- More than 400,000 Brownfields need clean up
- Bioremediation has been used at over 100 superfund sites
How are hazardous chemicals classified? - ANSWER>>Characteristic Wastes
- Toxicity: poisonous or carcinogenic
- Corrosivity: strong acids and bases
- Ignitability: can catch fire
- Reactivity: unstable, explosive, react with water, gives off toxic gas
Listed Wastes
- F: common in manufacturing
- K: source-specific industries
What is the definition of Bioremediation? - ANSWER>>A process in which
biological catalysis acts on pollutants thereby remedying or eliminating
environmental contamination present in water, wastewater, sludge, soil, aquifer
material, or gas station
,Define Intrinsic Bioremediation - ANSWER>>Natural attenuation due to biological
action natural attenuation also can include other factors such as dispersion,
diffusion, dilution, abiotic transformation, adsorption
Simpler definition: A form of bioremediation that takes advantage of naturally
occurring bacteria' inherent ability to break down contaminants without relying
on engineering to speed up the process.
Define Engineered Bioremediation and the two main approaches used -
ANSWER>>Simpler definition: A type of remediation that increases the growth
and degradative activity of microorganisms by using engineered systems that
supply nutrients, electron acceptors, and/or other growth-stimulating materials.
Bioaugmentation: addition of microbes
Biostimulation: modifying the environment to stimulate microbes (nutrients, pH,
etc.)
What are the principles sources of groundwater contamination? - ANSWER>>-
Leaking underground storage tanks (450000)
- Municipal solids and hazardous wastes landfills (93000)
- Hazardous wastes management sites (18000)
- Unlined pits, ponds, and lagoons (180000)
- Household septic systems (20 million)
- Pesticide application areas (75 x 10^6) tons/yr
- Abandoned petroleum wells
-Surface spills
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation compared
to pump and treat and excavation? - ANSWER>>Advantages
- Cleanup occurs in situ; hazardous wastes transportation and liability costs
- Organic hazardous waste can be destroyed, eliminate long term liability
- Relies on natural biodegradation process; can be faster and cheaper
, can attack hard to withdraw hydrophobic pollutants
- Minimum land environmental disturbance
- Environmentally sound with public acceptance
- Does not dewater the aquifer due to pumping
- Can be used in conjunction with other treatment technologies
Disadvantages
- Certain wastes, such as heavy metals, are not eliminated by biological processes
- May require extensive monitoring
- Requirements for success and removal efficiency may vary considerably from
one site to another
- Some contaminants can be present at high concentrations that inhibit
microorganisms
- Can be a scientifically intensive technique
- There is a risk for accumulation of toxic biodegradation products
What are the requirements for Bioremediation? - ANSWER>>- Microorganisms
- Energy source
- Electron acceptors
- Moisture
- pH
- Nutrients
- Temperature
- Absence of Toxicity
- Removal of metabolites
- Absence of predators
- Active microbes
What types of fuel molecules can be used to support cellular growth? -
ANSWER>>- Glucose
- Fructose
- ATP
