Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Endophytic Fungi. + Author Affiliations Bioremediation is an important approach to waste reduction that relies on biological processes to break down a variety of pollutants. This is made possible by the vast metabolic diversity of the microbial world. To explore this diversity for the breakdown of plastic, we screened several dozen endophytic fungi for their ability to degrade the synthetic polymer polyester polyurethane (PUR). Several organisms demonstrated the ability to efficiently degrade PUR in both solid and liquid suspensions. Particularly robust activity was observed among several isolates in the genus Pestalotiopsis, although it was not a universal feature of this genus. Tremendous increases in the manufacture and consumption of plastics over recent decades have led to numerous ecological and economic concerns. Polyester polyurethane (PUR) is a plastic widely used in industry and manufacturing that has been shown to be susceptible to biodegradation (6, 10).
Fig. 1. Table 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Update Ebb and Flow and DWC Hydroponic system 29 Jan 11. Inspiring a more Liveable City. The New Natural Order of Landscaping: Permaculture. 5th March 2012 By Kathleen Blakeskee Guest Writer for Wake Up World The term permaculture hasn’t been around long: only since the 1970’s, but at its basis is a way of life that was the original order of the very first farming communities. Early farmers used only those seeds, plants, and elements that were indigenous to the immediate area in which they lived to create their farmable areas.
So, although, the term is new, permaculture’s roots are very old. Permaculture is a contraction of the two words “permanent” and “agriculture” and now includes a philosophy that also means “permanent culture” as the social aspects of permaculture are both influences and effects of the idea. To incorporate the principles of permaculture means to utilize diverse elements that are present in the natural surroundings.
A permacultural system seeks to: Permaculture also aims to capture energy, and store it. About the Author Through the years Kathy has accumulated a formative array of experiences. Digest: Vertical Farming Startups Seek Profit by Bringing Sustainable Agriculture to Cities. August 12, 2011 | seedstock It’s Vertical Farming day over at Seedstock and we’re celebrating with a digest that features stories on a number of vertical urban agriculture startups that have the potential to play an outsize role in furthering the goals of sustainable agriculture. Enjoy your reads!
Rooftop Farm Couples Science with Sustainability Finding fresh, high-quality produce in Montreal is a challenge. The long and winding road that produce typically travels from farm to market in this city means that it must be harvested far before it’s ripe in order to survive long shipping distances. Growing a Million Heads of Lettuce on a Pin To grow one million heads of lettuce using conventional agriculture methods in the US requires either 16 acres of land in the Northern states, 8 acres of land in the Southern states, or .9 acres in a traditional hydroponic greenhouse operation.
Home Town Organic Farm Goes Vertical in the City TerraSphere Systems: Sustainable Vertical Farming is a Reality.