BIODEGRADATION EDUCATION
Small organisms.
Big environmental
solutions.
Discover how microbes and enzymes help clean water, restore soil, recycle waste, and inspire new environmental technologies.
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Choose your learning path
Choose your learning path
The same scientific ideas are presented with different language, examples, and depth.
KIDS
Meet the Tiny Cleanup Crew
Stories, illustrations, games, and simple explanations for grades 3-5 and family learning.
BID KIDS
Learn the Science and Engineering
Deeper explanations, real-world examples, and hands-on learning for middle school, high school, and introductory college learners.
KID SCIENTISTS
Explore the Frontier
Detailed mechanisms, research tools, and emerging advances for advanced learners.
FUNDAMENTALS
What is biodegradation?
What is biodegradation?
Biodegradation is the transformation of a chemical by living organisms or by enzymes produced by living organisms. A microbe may use the chemical as food and energy, or it may transform the chemical while growing on something else.
Sometimes the original chemical is converted to simple products. Sometimes it is only partly transformed. Environmental engineers therefore ask not only “Did it disappear?” but also “What did it become, how fast did it change, and did risk decrease?”
Biodegradation itself is not new - microorganisms have been transforming organic matter for billions of years. What has changed is our ability to understand, control, and engineer these processes. Over time, biodegradation has evolved from an observed natural phenomenon into a foundation of modern environmental engineering.
Some Key Concetps
Biodegradation
The biological transformation process.
Bioremediation
The deliberate use or enhancement of biology to reduce contamination or risk.
Mineralization
Conversion largely to simple inorganic products.
Detoxification
A decrease in harmful effects.
From natural processes to engineered treatment
Tiny Life, Big Cleanup
Exploring how microorganisms and enzymes can help build a cleaner environment.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2550510. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
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