Cleaning Up with Decomposers
What is the role of decomposers in the environment?Copyright https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmidwest/15457906071/
Students investigate decomposers and the role of decomposers in maintaining the flow of nutrients in an environment. Students also learn how engineers use decomposers to help clean up wastes in a process known as bioremediation. This lesson concludes a series of six lessons with a hands-on associated activity in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
Bioremediation is any process that uses natural living things to return an environment altered by contaminants to its original condition. Engineers use decomposers such as earthworms, fungi and bacteria in environmental clean-up efforts through bioremediation, for example, to clean up oil and chemical spills. Bioremediation technology examples include bioventing, landfarming, bioreactors and biostimulation. This use of biological agents to restore damaged eco-systems to healthier states is especially beneficial because it has less impact on the natural environmental than other processes. Also, some engineers design new products so they decompose on purpose, such dissolvable stitches, packing material, temporary tear duct plugs, plastic grocery bags, biodegradable plates and flatware.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define decomposers.
- List two examples of decomposers and how they affect the environment.
- Explain how engineers use decomposers for bioremediation of the environment.