The use of microorganisms to degrade, or break down, compounds found in the environment
Transformation of a substance into new compounds through biochemical reactions or the actions of microorganisms such as bacteria
The chemical breakdown of materials by living organisms in the environment The process depends on certain microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi, which break down molecules for sustenance Certain chemical structures are more susceptible to microbial breakdown than others; vegetable oils, for example, will biodegrade more rapidly than petroleum oils Most petroleum products typically will completely biodegrade in the environment within two months to two years
1) The reduction in concentration of a chemical or physical agent through naturally occurring microbial activity 2) The process of an organic molecule becoming transformed by biological means
the microbially mediated process of chemical breakdown of a substance to smaller products caused by micro-organisms or their enzymes [CUB]
Breakdown of organic matter by micro-organisms into carbon dioxide and water or into less harmful compounds
Something that is biodegradable breaks down or decays naturally without any special scientific treatment, and can therefore be thrown away without causing pollution. a natural and totally biodegradable plastic. materials, chemicals etc that are biodegradable are changed naturally by bacteria into substances that do not harm the environment non biodegradable
The ability of a substance to be broken down physically and/or chemically by natural biological processes, such as by being digested by bacteria or fungi
A product that has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature These products can be solids which break down into soil (composting)), or liquids which break down into water For example, biodegradable plastic is intended to break up when exposed to microorganisms (a natural ingredient such as cornstarch or vegetable oil is added to achieve this result) -
Capable of being broken down by micro-organisms which utilise the substance as a source of energy and bring about its destruction Usually referred to biological processes in soil, water, sewage but also to man-made organic compounds such as pesticides
waste material composed primarily of naturally-occurring constituent parts, able to be broken down and absorbed into the ecosystem Wood, for example, is biodegradable, for example, while plastics are not
adj: Able to be broken down into simpler substances (elements and compounds) by naturally occuring decomposers Essentially, anything that can be ingested by an organism without causing that organism harm 2 Nontoxic and able to be decomposed in relatively short period even on a human time scale
material are any organic material that can be broken down by microorganisms into simpler, more stable compounds Most organic waste such as foods, paper, etc are biodegradable
Organic materials such as food scraps, paper and grass clippings that are capable of being broken down by microorganisms into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide, water or minerals