Chapter 5.3, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms renewable resources, nonrenewable resources, sustainable use, endemic, bioremediation, biological augmentation.

Explanation of Solution

Renewable resources: The resources that can be refilled easily to ensure the continuous supply without getting exhausted when extensively used are known as renewable resources. For example, solar energy.

Nonrenewable resources: The resources that cannot be refilled if used extensively and takes a longer time to get replaced naturally are known as nonrenewable resources. For example, fossil fuels.

Sustainable use: It is a mode of utilization of resources in such a way that continuity of the resource is maintained for upcoming generations and can be utilized by most of the communities on earth (including non-humans).

Endemic: The term endemic means local. Something that is found in a particular region or a community is referred to as endemic.

Bioremediation: In biotechnology, bioremediation is a process in which living organisms such as bacteria are employed for removing contaminants, pollutants and toxins from the environment. This helps in the storage of the normal constitution of substances under remediation and decreases its adverse effect on the environment.

Biological augmentation: It is described as the addition of the biological cultures to speed up the degradation of the contaminants (bioremediation). Generally, various types of bacteria and archaea are employed for this purpose.