Biochemistry and the environment

Biochemical Impact on Environment

Biochemical processes are fundamental to life on earth and have significant impact on the environment.
Photosynthesis is the process carried out by green plants and some microbes, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.
The oxygen produced boosts the oxygen levels in the atmosphere essential for other organisms’ respiration.
Respiration in organisms, including plants and animals, converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
The energy is used for growth and maintenance while carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Human activities greatly affect these natural biochemical processes.
Deforestation, the large-scale removal of trees, disrupts the balance between photosynthesis and respiration, leading to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Industrial processes often lead to the production of harmful by-products that can disrupt the natural biochemical processes of environments.
Release of excess nutrients into water bodies, eutrophication, can cause harmful algal blooms that affect the biochemistry of aquatic ecosystems.
Pollution, particularly from chemicals, can harm organisms and disrupt the biochemical processes necessary for their survival.

Sustainable biochemistry aims to create and use chemical processes and products that are environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and economically viable.
Biochemical research can help develop alternatives to harmful chemicals and processes.
Biochemical processes can be used to treat waste products, e.g., using bacteria to break down organic waste.

Biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel are examples of how biochemical research can create more sustainable energy sources.
Biofuels are renewable and can minimize greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Biodegradable materials such as polylactic acid, made from corn starch, are alternatives to traditional plastics.
These materials can be broken down by natural biochemical processes, reducing waste and environmental harm.

Despite sustainable biochemistry’s potential, there are challenges in implementation.
Biofuels can be controversial due to the use of food crops and potential impact on food prices.
Biodegradable materials often require specific conditions to degrade effectively, and their production and use might require changes in manufacturing and consumer behaviour.
Balancing the needs of society, economy, and environment is a significant challenge in sustainable biochemistry.