Envr-103 Let's start an Environmental Microbiology Blog

Hey Everyone in Envr103;

I am getting this blog going, so join in and make it interesting - my aim is to expose you to as much microbiology as possible and Convert U to microbiologists (environmental microbiologists). One approach is by discussing different environmental microbiology related topics and items in the news. I want you to also search for areas related to environmental microbiology that you are interested in. Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/  may be a route to take or just Google  http://www.google.ca/. Hopefully the blog will help to generate discussion in the classroom and in the lab.( eg. 1. we are going to be testing soil contaminated with oil for bacteria - see what you can find on the web with respect to 'oil eating bacteria' and blog. 2. You will be doing an assignment on biofilms - see what you can find out and comment on your findings. 3. Also contribute your point of view on salmon aquaculture (bacteria and viruses cause many diseases in salmon aquaculture) - just ideas!). Please sign your name to the blog.



FISH DISEASES
Jeremy Hackett: I worked in aquaculture for many years (15) as a microbiologist working on salmon diseases. One of the reasons salmon aquaculture is controversial is because closed containment of salmon in net pens can harbour diseases (bacterial and viral). The closed containment can exaserbate diseases resulting outbreaks and mortality of large numbers of fish.  Thus farmed salmon are vaccinated and /or treated with antibiotics to control diseases.  However, there remains the environmental question as to whether farmed salmon act as a reservoir of diseases that can infect wild salmon populations. What do you think?   http://www.eurocbc.org/page265.html   ;         http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/49660/
Sea lice and farmed salmon...an interesting finding: http://www.pnas.org/content/107/52/22599







BIOFILMS
Reference: http://news.discovery.com/tech/poo-gloos-sewage-cleaning-110112.html#mkcpgn=hknws1
Posted by Jeremy Hackett

'Poo-Gloo' Devices Digest Sewage

• Igloo-shaped devices called "Poo-Gloos" clean wastewater with bacteria.
• The devices are a cheaper, energy-efficient alternative to treatment plants for small municipalities.
• A study showed the devices are on par with traditional mechanical treatment facilities for removing organic compounds and nitrogen.

New igloo-shaped devices, affectionately known as Poo-Gloos, are offering an affordable way for small communities to upgrade their wastewater treatment systems.
Several towns nationwide have started using the domes lined with bacterial biofilm to clean water in existing facilities.
"The whole idea is to provide a home specifically designed for bacteria," said Kraig Johnson, chief technology officer for Wastewater Compliance Systems, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based startup that makes the devices.