Biorecycling: Using Nature to Make Resources from Waste
Students learn how carbon becomes biorecycledCopyright 2006 Kessner Photography, Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Real_Compost.jpg
By studying key processes in the carbon cycle, such as photosynthesis, composting and anaerobic digestion, students learn how nature and engineers "biorecycle" carbon. Students are exposed to examples, through the hands-on associated activities, of how microbes play many roles in various systems to recycle organic materials and also learn how the carbon cycle can be used to make or release energy.
Environmental engineers mimic the natural carbon cycle in many processes, often designing systems that process carbon faster than would occur in nature. Anaerobic digestion (which turns human or food waste into methane gas) and biofuel production (such as fuels from corn, sugarcane and algae) are excellent examples of using the carbon cycle to generate energy from waste.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain how engineers use microbes to manage carbon.
- Identify at least three biological processes that cycle elements and energy.
- Describe roles that microbes play in carbon management.
- Define photosynthesis, anaerobic digestion and composting.
- Describe how waste can be used as resources.