Environmental Biotechnology

Microbiology of bioprocesses. Bioprocesses analysis based on bioenergetics. Stoichiometry of microbial processes. Bioreactors. Microbial kinetics. Design, control and optimization of bioprocesses. Biological processes for carbon removal (the activated sludge process, aerobic biofilm processes). Biological nitrogen (nitrification, denitrification) and phosphorus removal Anaerobic treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters Detoxification of hazardous chemicals. Biodegradation of problem environmental contaminants Integration of chemical and biological processes for degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants Remediation of polluted sites by engineered bioremediation and phytoremediation

Objectives

After completing this course a student should be able to: 1. understand the fundamentals of microbiology and microbial processes (homogenous and heterogenous) which are involved for in the remediation of environmental problems. 2. understand the fundamentals of designing microbial systems for environmental protection and rehabilitation. At the end of the course the student will have further developed the following skills/competences: 1. acquisition of advanced knowledge, techniques and approaches to the use of bioprocesses for rehabilitation and prevention of environmental pollution. 2. ability to select and design appropriate microbial processes based on wastes’ characteristics in the aim to achieve targeted rehabilitation limits. 3. ability to address the basic problems that might arise during the operation of microbial depollution systems.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course. However, students should have basic knowledge of unit operations and biochemical processes.

Syllabus

Microbiology of bioprocesses. Bioprocesses analysis based on bioenergetics. Stoichiometry of microbial processes. Bioreactors. Microbial kinetics. Design, control and optimization of bioprocesses. Biological processes for carbon removal (the activated sludge process, aerobic biofilm processes). Biological nitrogen (nitrification, denitrification) and phosphorus removal Anaerobic treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters Detoxification of hazardous chemicals. Biodegradation of problem environmental contaminants Integration of chemical and biological processes for degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants Remediation of polluted sites by engineered bioremediation and phytoremediation