Biogas is a by-product of a process called Anaerobic Digestion. In this system, biodegradable refuse (municipal solid waste, food waste, fats, and oils) is collected into an air tight container to be broken down by a variety of microorganisms to become a methane-rich gas that can be used as an alternative to natural gas.

The use of biogas as a form of energy dates back to the tenth century BC within Assyria where it was used to heat bath water. A better understanding of biogas began in the seventeenth century when Jan Baptista Van Helmont determined that flammable gases could derive from decaying matter.

A century later Count Alessandro Volta found there was a direct correlation between the volume of decaying matter and the amount of gas being produced. The first anaerobic digestion plant was built in Bombay, India in 1859. This process soon spread to Britain, where in 1895 biogas collected from treatment centers to light street lamps in Exeter.

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Other Sources

“History of Biogas.” Kingdom BioEnergy. http://www.kingdombio.com/history1.html. Accessed July 14, 2016.

American Biogas Council. “What is Anaerobic Digestion?” American Biogas Council. https://www.americanbiogascouncil.org/biogas_what.asp. Accessed July 5, 2015.

Government of Canada. “Biomass to Biogas.” Ministry of Natural Resources. http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/renewable-electricity/bioenergy-systems/biomass-gas/7401. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Government of Ontario. “Ontario's Bio Advantage Sector Profile.” Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Rural Affairs. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/ktt/spot-bioenergy.htm. Accessed July 12, 2016.

University of Pennylvania. “A Short History of Anarobic Digestion.” Penn State Extension. http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/waste-to-energy/resources/biogas/links/history-of-anaerobic-digestion/a-short-history-of-anaerobic-digestion. Accessed July 14, 2016.

Biofuels are fuels made from renewable sources such as ethanol from corn or biodiesel from used fats and oils. These fuels produce fewer carbon emissions like conventional petroleum from fossil fuels. Though biofuels come from a variety of different sources, these fuels are generally developed through chemical reactions, fermentation, and heat to break down the sugars and starches in the plant matter, the remains are then refined into biofuel.

The use of biofuels in motor vehicles isn’t a new one. In the early twentieth century, Henry Ford had intended on his Model Ts to run on ethanol, not to mention diesel engines had proven to be capable of running on peanut oil! This opportunity was lost due to large oil deposits, making gasoline and diesel petroleum cheaper. However, due to the growing concerns over carbon dioxide emissions and with oil prices on the rise, energy producers have begun to relook at these alternatives.

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Other Sources

Government of Ontario. “Ontario's Bio Advantage Sector Profile.” Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Rural Affairs. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/ktt/spot-bioenergy.htm. Accessed July 12, 2016.

National Geographic Society. “Biofuels.” National Geographic. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/biofuel-profile/. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Biofiltration is the use of natural processes to control air pollution. This is accomplished through the use of microorganisms who feed on the contaminants found in air or water.

In the process, air is passed through a filter made up of moisture and microorganisms. As the polluted air passes through the filter, the pollutants become trapped within the filter. The microorganisms then process the pollutants, turning them into carbon dioxide and water.

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Other Sources

Biofiltration. http://www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/biofil.htm. Accessed July 25, 2016.

Anit, Selvi B. and Robert J. Artuz. Biofiltration of Air. https://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/MISC/biofilt/biofiltration.htm. Accessed July 25, 2016.

Bioerosion is a process of removing hard substances by animals or other organisms slowly through actions such as drilling, burrowing or grazing. Bioerosion occurs naturally in nature but can damage the surrounding environment if it is excessive. This natural occurrence is important for geologists and paleontologists as it allows them to determine prehistoric water levels, climatic conditions, and evolutionary patterns.

An example of Bioerosion can be seen in the case of coral reefs. Corals create limestone (or calcium carbonate) to form their skeleton, which serves as a source of food and shelter for reef organisms. Microborers and organisms that graze on the surface of the limestone slowly break down the reef skeleton.

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Other Sources

It's Not Boring. “Bioerosion.” It's Not Boring.com. https://isnotboring.wordpress.com/science/bioerosion. Accessed September 12, 2016.

Bioenergy is energy that derives from biomass – organics that have absorbed solar energy such as wood, straw, or other biological refuse. This is considered renewable because the plant matter can be replanted. Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel also fall under this category. Bioenergy can also be harnessed from biodegradable waste that is not typically reusable like residual fats, food waste, and municipal wastewater solids through anaerobic digestion for the production of biogas.

The advantage of using biofuels is it emits less carbon into the atmosphere like conventional gasoline and diesel fuels. At the same time, it reduces the amount of refuse ending up in the landfill by how it takes biodegradables and converts them into biogas for reuse as a new form of natural gas or, in the case of some fats, oils, and greases, can be refined into a new kind of fuel for motor vehicles.

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Other Sources

American Biogas Council. “What is Anaerobic Digestion.” American Biogas Council. https://www.americanbiogascouncil.org/biogas_what.asp. Accessed July 5, 2015.

Government of Canada. “Bioenergy Systems.” Natural Resources Canada. http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/renewable-electricity/bioenergy-systems/7311. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Government of Ontario. “Ontario's Bio Advantage Sector Profile.” Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Rural Affairs. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/ktt/spot-bioenergy.htm. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Everything in the world is interconnected with one another in a complicated relationship known as biodiversity. In this web, wide varieties of animal and plant species rely on each other for food and shelter, especially humans. Diversity is important as it ensures greater variety of crops, natural sustainability of all life forms, and allows for ecosystems to survive and recover from environmental issues.

An example of the importance of biodiversity is in the case of the honeybee. Bees are a primary pollinating species with 130,000 plants that need them for reproduction. Fruits like apples, melons, pumpkins, and raspberries need bees for their blossoms and flowers to develop into fruit, affecting a third of the humanity’s food supply.

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Other Sources

Biodivcanada. “What is Biodiversity.” What is Biodiversity. http://www.biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=4D2A799A-1. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Shah, Anup. “Why is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares?” Global Issues. http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Biodegradation, is the process where the carbon-based material goes through a change from complex modules into simpler ones before returning to the environment. In most cases, this process is completed with the help of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and worms. These organisms take on the role of breaking down the matter into new matter.

The process of biodegradation is used in the creation of compost. When composting, organic materials break down into a nutrient-rich soil with the assistance of worms and bacteria. These organisms intake the organic material and process it into its final form while some bacteria convert nitrogen from the air into a more accessible form for the plant.

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Other Sources

Bio-Tec Environmental. “What is Biodegradation?” Bio-Tec Environmental. http://www.goecopure.com/what-is-biodegradation.aspx. Accessed July 20, 2016.

Washington State University. “Compost Benefits & Uses.” Compost Fundamentals. http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/benefits_benefits.htm. July 20, 2016.

Biodiesel is an alternative energy source for diesel engines. Commonly made from grease, vegetable oils, or fats, this fuel source can be used on its own (referred to as B100) or in combination with conventional petroleum diesel in 5 percent and 20 percent. According to the EPA, biodiesel can reduce greenhouse gases by between 57 and 86 percent and is considered safer to handle due to its lower toxicity.

Biodiesel is produced through what is called transesterification. Here, the glycerin is separated from the fats and oils. This leaves behind the biodiesel while the separated glycerin is used in the production of soaps and other products.

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Other Sources

“Biodiesel.” Fueleconomy.gov. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/biodiesel.shtml. Accessed July 11, 2016.

“Biodiesel Basics.” Biodiesel. http://biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Biodegradable Plastic is a variation of plastic that has been treated so it will break down at a faster rate than its conventional counterpart. This means that once dumped in a landfill, the disposed item that is made from biodegradable plastic will decompose, leaving more space, allowing the landfill to be used for a longer period.

While it is useful, biodegradable plastic is not without some controversy. Though it is biodegradable as the name suggests, biodegradable plastics are still made with petrochemical plastics. In addition, the remains from the decomposing materials will not always be harmless substances.

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Other Sources

Woodford, Chris. “Bioplastics.” http://www.explainthatstuff.com/bioplastics.html. Accessed July 11, 2016.

Biocapacity – or biological capacity – is the ability ecosystems can provide natural resources and absorb the waste produced by humans. To determine the Biocapacity of an area, the physical area is multiplied by the yield and equivalence factors.

The Biocapacity of the Earth is a problem that continues to grow as humanity progresses. According to the World Wildlife Federation, it would take a 1.5 Earths to produce the amount of resources needed for humans to use. It is expected that the human population will need two Earths worth of resources by the year 2050.

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Other Sources

Global Footprint Network “Biocapacity.” Footprint Network.org. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/glossary. Accessed September 12, 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 the compost produced is adequate for use.

There are several benefits to composting. It diverts refuse from the landfill by reusing organics to return nutrients back into the soil, which reduces the amount that finds their way into the landfill. Compost benefits both plants and their soil by fortifying soils to retain water and nutrients and protecting plants from diseases and harmful pests while supporting insects that help plant growth and development.

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Other Sources

Gonzalez, Ramon. “Do’s and Don’ts of Backyard Composting.” Treehugger. http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/dos-and-donts-backyard-composting.html. Accessed July 11, 2016.

US Environmental Protection Agency. “Composting at Home.” EPA. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home. Accessed July 2016.

Washington State University. “Compost Benefits & Uses.” Compost Fundamentals. http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/benefits_benefits.htm. May 10, 2016.

Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of plant and animals, factoring in their origins, migration, and it’s 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 traveled through the Amazon and Southeast Asia, where he observed hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species, noting where he had found them and the patterns between regions such as how rivers and mountain ranges served as boundaries for species types.

Wallace’s observations were accumulated in his 1876 book, The Geographic Distribution of Animals, where he argued that geological ranges served as boundaries for the different fields of a particular species.

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Other Sources

Dansereau, Pierre. "Biogeography." In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada, 1985—. Article published February 8, 2006. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/biogeography/. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Biogeography.” Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/biogeography. Accessed July 12, 2016.

University of California Museum of Paleontology et al. “Biogeography: Wallace to Wagner.” Understanding Evolution. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/history_16. Accessed July 14, 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 of this kind is caused by a chemical reaction between two chemicals: luciferin (a compound that actually makes light) and luciferase or photoprotein. While bioluminescence can be produced chemically, some organisms produce a synthetic form of luciferin. In this case, marine life use dinoflagellates (a bioluminescent form of plankton) or absorb this ability through eating other bioluminescent species or in a symbiotic relationship.

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Other Sources

National Geographic Society. “Bioluminescence.” National Geographic. http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/bioluminescence/. Accessed July 12, 2016.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What is Bioluminescence?” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/bioluminescence.html. July 12, 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 through powering steam engines with collected refuse. Their popularity soon spread across the Atlantic to the United States when in 1885, the first garbage incinerator was built on Governor’s Island, New York. These early incinerators fell out of favour due to their emissions landing on neighbouring communities and their poor management.

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Other Sources

“For Education.” Began with the Bin. http://beginwiththebin.org/resources/for-education. Accessed July 20, 2016.

Encyclopedia Theodora. “Distructors.” Encyclopedia Theodora. http://www.theodora.com/encyclopedia/d/destructors.html. Accessed July 20, 2016.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Biomass Explained.” U. S. Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=biomass_waste_to_energy. Accessed July 20, 2016.

A Bioreactor Landfill is a landfill that is used for the production of biogas at a faster rate. In this system, the refuse in the landfill has leachate, water that has been in contact with waste, to speed up the decomposition process into years rather than decades.

These types are often confused with anaerobic digesters because of how both serve to produce biogas. The significant difference between these two is that unlike anaerobic digesters, a bioreactor landfill cannot be reused. As the landfill is used, the amount of leachate is expected to be decreased. At the same time, the process is also meant to reduce the volume of long-term maintenance once the landfill has served its purpose.

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Other Sources

O’Leary, Phil and Patrick Walsh. “Bioreactor Landfill Design and Operation.” Waste 360. http://beta.waste360.com/mag/waste_bioreactor_landfill_design?utm_test=redirect&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2F. Accessed July 25, 2016.

US Environmental Protection Agency. “Bioreactor Landfill.” EPA. https://www.epa.gov/landfills/bioreactor-landfills. Accessed July 12, 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 with camphor to create a synthetic polymer to replace ivory. This new material (dubbed celluloid) allowed for products to be more accessible to the public. The first fully synthetic plastic premiered in 1907 in the form of Bakelite by Leo Baekeland. The success of Hyatt’s celluloid and Baekeland’s Bakelite paved the way for other chemical companies to begin to research into the creation of other types of synthetic plastics that could serve a variety of uses.

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Other Sources

Chemical Heritage Foundation. “The History and Future of Plastics.” Chemical Heritage Foundation. http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/conflicts-in-chemistry/the-case-of-plastics/all-history-of-plastics.aspx. Accessed July 19, 2016.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance. “About Bioplastics.” Sustainable Plastics?. http://www.sustainableplastics.org/about. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Professor Plastic. “What are Bioplastics?” Plastics. https://www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/about-plastics/types-of-plastics/what-are-bioplastics/. Accessed July 12, 2016.

Definition

Botanical Pesticides or natural insecticides are organic and natural pesticides that are derived from plants and minerals, that have naturally occurring defensive properties. These types of pesticides have become more popular since they do not release toxins as they decompose. Also, they have proven to be more useful than conventional insecticides as insects become more resistant to synthetic pesticides.

Want to Know More?

Plants use self-created pesticides as a form of defense against diseases, herbivores, and insects. These Botanical Pesticides include chemicals such as nicotine or urushiol and oils like citrus oils. The insecticides made with these natural pesticides have minimal to no toxic effect on the environment while acting fast to tackle insects.

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OtherSources

‘Bugs. “Botanical Insecticides.” ‘Bugs. http://www.livingwithbugs.com/botanical_insecticide.html. Accessed July 13, 2016.

Texas A&M University. “Botanical Insecticides.” Natural, Plant-Based Botanical Insecticides/Pesticides From EcoSMART Technologies. http://landscapeipm.tamu.edu/types-of-pest-control/chemical-control/organic/botanical/. Accessed July 13, 2016.

Coined by Eduard Suess in 1875, the biosphere is a component of Earth’s system that is made up of living organisms and the dead organic matter they produce. The Earth is made up of different spheres:

- Atmosphere: the layer of air that is above land

- Lithosphere: Solid surface layer (land).

- Hydrosphere: All water, including what is found on the surface, ground and air.

These spheres are home to a wide variety of organisms that rely on others within their sphere and on others to survive, including humans.

The biosphere has existed for 3.5 billion years. Its first organisms were prokaryotes, single-celled organisms that survived without oxygen, some of which used photosynthesis to produce sugars and oxygen out of water and carbon dioxide. The addition of oxygen and other gases allowed for other organisms to evolve into plants and animals while some bacteria evolved so they could break down dead animals and plants.

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Other Sources

Government of Ontario. “Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.” Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. http://www.escarpment.org/biosphere/index.php. Accessed July 13, 2016.

National Geographic Society. “Biosphere.” National Geographic. http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biosphere/. Accessed July 13, 2016.

Bioremediation is cleaning up polluted areas through biological means. Bacteria, fungi, plants and other organisms break down contaminants or store them in their tissue for eventual disposal. It has become a more popular choice for the removal of traditional methods due to its less costly nature.

The use of Bioremediation is most noticeable in the cases of oil spills. When a spill occurs, microbes that are native to the area are the first to react. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists noticed that the native bacteria were doing more of the work than their augmented ones, mainly because the microbes they introduced were not able to survive in the ocean water.

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Other Sources

Griggs, Mary Beth. “How Microbes Clean up our Environmental Messes.” Popular Mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a7176/how-microbes-will-clean-up-our-messes/. Accessed July 13, 2016.