What are Bioplastics? July 19, 2016 Bioplastics are plastics that are made from renewable sources such as wood cellulose, wheat fiber, and corn. These plastics are compostable, breaking down as much as 60 percent or more in 180 days. Though it is compostable, bioplastics require water, heat, and air to break down, making it difficult to dispose of in landfills. Early plastics were made with the intention of replacing existing materials such as rubber, ivory, and tortoise shells. In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt treated cellulose…

What is Biomass Incineration? July 25, 2016 Biomass incineration is the act of using organic refuse to create electricity. This is done by incinerating the refuse to create a stream that turns a turbine which is connected to a generator. The use of these incinerators has also served in dealing with the municipal solid waste in some areas. The use of biomass incinerators can be traced back to 1874 when the first “destructor” was built in Nottingham, Great Britain. These machines served to produce electricity…

What is Bioluminesence? July 19, 2016 Bioluminescence is the ability of an organism to biologically produce light. On land, only some organisms like fireflies or fungi are able to produce their own light. Underwater, however, this ability is common among marine life that lives deep below, such as fish, clams, and sharks. This ability is useful in deeper levels of the ocean, where little to no light penetrates, as it allows for marine life to find food, reproduce, and as a form of defence. Survival…

What is Biogeography? July 14, 2016 Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of plant and animals, factoring in their origins, migration, and its relation to other organisms. It is a combination of geology, physical geography, geomorphology, climatology, meteorology, biology, taxonomy, genetics, and physiology. The Earth is divided into regions to better examine the differences between flora and fauna and their regional counterparts. Biogeography’s origins date to the nineteenth century with one of the founders of evolutionary theory, Alfred Russel Wallace. In 1848, Wallace…

What is Backyard Composting? July 13, 2016 Backyard composting is diverting food waste and yard trimmings from the landfill by composting them in your own backyard. These remains stay in a designated area and decay until they are ready to be spread over the soil. In a dry, shaded area, brown materials – non-bleached paper products, eggshells, dried grass clippings, etc. – and green materials – coffee grounds, tea leaves, fruit, and vegetable remains, etc. – are layered atop of each other to ensure that…