Environmental Biotechnology

Knowledge of the basic concepts of chemistry of the solutions, namely  acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction, complexation and precipitation.

Biochemical knowledge: metabolism of biomolecules and energy conversion.

Aerobic and anaerobic processes. Knowledge of calculations on volume, flow, removal percentages…etc

In order to achieve the proposed objectives and confer the competences defined for the curricular unit, lectures will be given on the presentation of theoretical contents, complemented by problem solving and discussion of application situations in concrete cases.

In order to achieve the proposed objectives and confer the competences defined for the curricular unit, lectures will be given to expose the theoretical contents, complemented by problem solving and discussion of situations of application to concrete cases.

Laboratory protocols will also be carried out to evaluate the functioning of an activated sludge system in terms of removal of organic matter and nutrients. The characterization of the effluent before and after secundary traetment will be carried out in order to evaluate the operating regime of the reactor. The biodegradability of the effluent and the nutrients balance will be evaluated. The treated effluent will be evaluated in terms of possible discharge into the environment in accordance with decree law 236/98. The final report will be prepared according to all the results and analysis carried out.

1. Describe the environmental impacts caused by the discharge of waste, produced by different human activities, into soil and water resources. Evaluate the possibility of its biological treatment.

2. Describe the operating principles of the different types of biological treatment (aerobic and anaerobic), the main factors that influence its functioning and the control parameters of process.

3. Know the applicable legal provisions.

4. To know the role of biotechnology in various fields of action for a more sustainable development.

5. To perform the analytical methodology of some physical-chemical parameters of evaluation of the quality of an effluent, in order to evaluate the operating regime and the efficiency of a treatment system.

Sources of pollution. 

General characteristics of the waste water. Assessment of the need and possibility of biological treatment. Principles and general scheme of treatment.

Principles of degradation of organic matter (C, N, P and S) by aerobic and anaerobic route. Comparison of processes and study of the impact of discharge of polluted waste water, in both soil and water. Legal impositions for the discharge of effluents.

Theoretical fundamentals of the main biological waste treatment systems: Suspended biomass activated sludge and its modifications – Sequencial Batch Reactor (SBR). Liquid composting. Fixed biofilm systems: percolating beds and biodiscs (RBC). Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). Membrane Bioreactor (MBR). Anaerobic digestion. Systems of lagoon and reuse of treated waste water.

Bioremediation: general concepts and practical applications

Role of biotechnology in the circular economy – recovery / recycling of resources, with a view to sustainable development.

Application of concepts in practical laboratory classes, by determining the following parameters: pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, solids; CBO5 and COD, phosphorus and nitrogen; TRH, TRS, Ch, Cv, Cm, and F /M were evaluated.

• - teste teórico 1 - 37.5%
• - Teste teórico 2 - 37.5%
• - prática - 25.0%

• - pratica - 25.0%
• - Exame - 75.0%

NAO

METCALF & EDDY, Wastewater Engeneering – Treatment and resource recovery, 5ª Ed., McGraw Hill, 2013.

FERRAZ, A. I. & Rodrigues A. C. Biotecnologia, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentávél, Publindústria- Edições Técnicas, 2011.

FLETCHER, G. L., Rise, M. L., 2011. Aquaculture Biotechnology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.

COSTA, M. L. & SOARES, M. , Guia de Trabalhos Práticos, 2007.

FONSECA, M. M., TEIXEIRA, J. A. Reactores Biológicos- Fundamentos e Aplicações, Lidel, 2006.

CASEY, T. A., Unit treatment processses in water and Wastewater Engineering, John Wiley& Sons, New York, 1997.

GRAY, N. F., Biology of Wastewater Treatment. In: J. N. B. Bell (Ed.) Series on Environment Science and Management, 2ª ed., Imperial College Press, 2004.