CHAPTER 8: THE INFORMATION AGE: CURRENT ISSUES ON SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA Among the benefits derived from science and technology - are the advancement in the field of communication. The information age - Has heavily influenced the way people connect with each other Social Media - The most prominent technological advancement of the new millennium is the rise of social media Social media websites and applications - Are designed to facilitate the creation and exchange of information in a virtual space. - Through social media, people can easily access any type of information they need and want through the different gadgets at their disposal. - The essence of social media in the context of being a space where and through which information can be spread and shared can be traced to early technologies that made information sharing possible. Gutenberg Press - Was one of the most cost-effective inventions - Created during the Renaissance Period - It made a historic impact on society - because people were able to print hundreds of book copies at a fast rate - Through it, information spread at a cheaper and faster rate - Thus, making it more accessible to a wider public. - Over the centuries, the printing press was further refined - - Allowing for different methods of print and reproduce texts Aside from the printing press, there were also other technologies that shaped the way people gathered and shared information Personal Computer - Advent of it - In the 1970s Internet - Advent of it - The decade after - In the 1980s Humanity - Was introduced to a new method of sharing individual cultures, stories, ideas, and general knowledge with others - At a significantly faster and deeper level The rapid development and advancement of technology - evidently revolutionized the way people communicate through various media channels, with social media as the most prominent. - Social media can be accessed through computers or mobile phones - Thus influencing the way society shares, exchange, and communicate ideas with each other. THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA The rise of social media - Friendster - 2002 - The rise of social media was first seen here - Myspace - 2003 - Succeeded friendster - Facebook - 2004 - Taken over Myspace - - Remains one of the main social media outlets of today - Alongside others such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat - These sites act as platforms that people use to talk and interact with each other without the limitation of time and space. The ever-increasing presence of social media is clearly felt in society. Kemp - 2017 - Estimated that there are about 2.80 billion active social media users worldwide Statista - 2017 - The most among the various platforms is Facebook - With 2.072 billion monthly active users using the site in 2017 The Philippines - Along, can account for 48 million social media users - 33.14 million of which are Facebook users Social media - Has influenced almost every aspect of society - with even institutions and government organizations using different social media platforms for various purposes SOCIAL MEDIA ROLES ADVERTISING INDUSTRY - Social media currently plays a large role in the advertising industry - Croteau, Hoynes, and Milan - 2012 - - - - Social media is a tool that advertisers use to promote brands and products It can also be used to gain more information about their target consumers because these platforms allow people to divulge basic personal information such as their: - Name - Age - Gender - Location - Likes and Dislikes Advertisers - Can use these pieces of information to their advantage in creating targeted advertising materials for the products that they are promoting. POLITICAL MATTERS - Social media can also help people engage in political matters. - Through Facebook - People can form groups - Or put up pages that advocate particular causes - As Facebook users - are allowed to become part of a group or page that furthers a particular cause - People get to know more about such cause and are able to show their support for it - Croteau, Hoynes, and Milan - 2012 - Social media, in general, makes political engagement easier - Because “posting such support online requires little effort.” - The use of social media as a tool for increased political engagement is also helpful, particularly for the youth. - - Over the years, many scholars have documented the declining trend in political engagement among the youth. Keating and Melis - 2017 - The advent of social media has helped address this problem - because these platform provide young adults a newer and more dynamic outlet for expressing their political beliefs and interests VIRTUAL WORLDS - Access to social media has also allowed many of its users to enter or create virtual worlds - Where they can express themselves freely - As well as share experiences with others with similar interests - Nichols - 2017 - Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter - Turn technology into “a new form of communication where people can virtually meet up with friends and communicate with them in realistic ways from the comfort of their homes.” - Anyone can now create an AVATAR - A virtual representation of one’s self in an online community - To meet new people online and create a network of online friendships LEISURE - Social media is ultimately used as a means for leisure - - And most users use it to connect with family, friends, and loved ones. Media platforms have also made it possible for people to do both complex and simple tasks - That is from calculating their taxes to making dinner reservations NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - Social media has also allowed people to express their opinions on virtually anything for other people to read - Locally, news agencies such as INQUIRER and RAPPLER - have also taken to social media to disseminate news and announcements every day SOCIAL MEDIA RISKS/ ISSUES ISSUE OF PRIVACY AND IDENTITY THEFT - The easy access to social media also presents its own risks - One primary problem encountered by many social media users is the issue of privacy and identity theft - To make an account in social networking sites - A user is required to divulge basic personal information - These pieces if information, - through a user agreement, - become the property of the company that runs the social platform - And can henceforth be used for any purposes that benefits the company - Data Privacy Laws - As a result, these laws have been enacted - To protect users from the unlawful use of personal information - However, information submitted on the internet is rendered vulnerable to hacking and theft CYBERBULLYING - Cyberbullying - Is also an issue associated with social media - National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) - 2013 - It is estimated that 22 million students is America - Experienced some form of cyberbullying each year ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE - Zweig, Dank, Lachman, and Yahner - 2013 - Reported the danger of sexual abuse online - Among the teenagers who engaged in online or cyberdating - 6% reported that they were being sent threatening messages - 6% to 8% reported being pressured to send sexual photos or engages in sexual acts SOCIETY’S NORMS AND IDEOLOGIES - Social media also has effects on the way a society establishes its norms and ideologies - Social media is often chosen as a tool for asserting social norms, as the platform thrives in social participation - Images circulated on social media - Reinforce not only the idea of what is normal or acceptable in society But also those ideas that are unacceptable or deviant This characteristic of social media - Can promote the glorification of particular social classes - As well as the marginalization and misrepresentation of people in terms of gener, race, and class. - - SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION The classroom - Acts as both a venue and avenue - For teachers and student to interact Today, social media - Is used to further connect and enhance the interactions between teachers and students both in and out of the classroom Both teachers and students - Are able to do various activities online - Teachers - Can send instructions on assignments and quizzes - Students - Can communicate with teachers outside the classroom - And seek help from fellow classmates However, there are also issues that may arise from the use of social media in the school set up such as: - Cyberbullying - Distancing of students from the real world - Decreased amount of time spent on face-to-face communication ADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION The wide reach of social media - Enables it to affect and influence those who use it in many ways In education Teachers can be more approachable - And reach their students in more untraditional ways Saleh Abdullah Alabdulkareem - 2015 - Survey conducted - Discovered that both teachers and students - Showed high levels of agreement regarding the positive impact of social media use on education - Both teachers and students believe that using social media in learning: - Increases opportunities for collaboration, interaction, and information sharing - Improves communication skills while decreasing barriers for self-expression. - SOCIAL MEDIA ENHANCES STUDENT COLLABORATION AND INTERACTION - Beidelman - 2015 - Describes how social media exists as a medium - That encourages a natural collaborative environment - For instance, social media networking site group - allows students to critique and comment on each other’s work - As well as work together - Griesemer - 2012 - Through collaborative interaction - Student who had classes that required them to utilize social media - Enabled them to to gain more insights on their topic or lesson - For example, if a student is having difficulty solving a chemistry problem - Aside from using online resources to learn more on how to solve the problem - he/she may post questions in a social networking site group - To seek help from peers in understanding specific aspects of the problem. SOCIAL MEDIA ALLOWS INFORMATION SHARING - Qayyum Ch., Hussain, Mahmood, and Rasool - 2016 - Surveyed elementary students - In Lahore City - And found that those who used social media to work on their assignments - Accomplished their homework more effortlessly because of the ease of finding information in sites - And attained better marks compared to their peers who are non-social media users - Mbodila, Ndebele, and Muhandji - 2014 - The positive effects of Facebook use in higher education were also documented in this study - In particular, they found that majority students who participated in the survey - Were aided by a Facebook blog to get information they need - SOCIAL MEDIA EXPANDS STUDENT-TEACHER INTERACTION - With the increasing use of social media use among many of today’s students - Teachers - have begun to find ways to utilize social media platforms in their mode of instruction - They use and maximize the flexibility of social media - And make it an educational tool - while using it as a medium to reach out to students - Friedman - 2014 - Survey - Was able to uncover through interviews how many professors today use social media sites - such as Instagram, Google Hangouts, and Twitter as a means to communicate with their student - University of Phoenix (UOPX) - 2016 - Survey - Suggests that teacher’s participation in social media better enhances the student’s educational experience SOCIAL MEDIA IMPROVES STUDENTS’ COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND DECREASES BARRIERS FOR SELF-EXPRESSION - Social media as a tool for facilitating communication - Could also be a powerful means through which information and - communication needs of students could be addressed. Lynne O. Brien - 2012 - Wrote that using Twitter in class - For example, - Could keep students engaged - Forming study groups using social groups allows students to interact more - And creating a public profile showcasing one’s research interests open connection with a broader audience. Raut and Patil - 2016 - Study - Said that the use of social media helps student not only acquire knowledge - But also establish enduring relationships with real people - Through Facebook and various social networking sites - For instance, a Twitter account can provide a shy student - With information about events that facilitate face-to-face encounters with other students. DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION Despite the known benefits of integrating social media in education - There are also numerous negative effects that raise second thoughts as to whether or not such platforms are appropriate in the classroom setting As a result, some teachers - Remain wary and have not integrated social media into their modes of instruction University of Phoenix - 2016 - Survey - 87% of teachers - Have not integrated social media into their classrooms - 65% of teachers - Said that they do not plan to do so in the future - These statistics reveal apprehensions towards the integration of social media in the classroom that result in numerous negative effects such as: - The reduction of face-to-face communication - Cyberbullying - And the increase in spelling problems SOCIAL MEDIA REDUCES FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION - The prominence of using social media in education - Can result in decreased face-to-face communication and interaction - While students who find it difficult to express themselves - Can find a space to do so online - Educators - Are concerned that they may miss valuable lessons in real-life social skills - The use of social media - Could put student at a disadvantage in: - College admission interviews - Job interviews - Or other similar instances where they need to - - express themselves, - command attention, - and deliver coherent and consistent messages in person Such downside could further translate to difficulty in interacting and connecting with people in social gatherings SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE USED AS A TOOL FOR BULLYING - Classroom - Aside from learning - It is also an unfortunate place where bullying occurs - In the United States - It is estimated that 20% to 28% of students - In the 6th to 12th grade - Experience bullying - Many educators - Fear that the use of social media - Can provide an extended venue for bullying - In an occurrence known more popularly as cyberbullying - Kessel Schneider, Smith, and O’Donnell - 2013 - Policy review that they authored - Cyberbullying - Negatively impacts the learning environment - As it affects the student psychologically - Causing stress and depression - - Many incidences of cyberbullying still remain unreported - As this form of bullying is not physically visible in school campuses - And electronic communications allow cyberbullying perpetrators to maintain anonymity Examples of cyberbullying: - Malicious text messages or e-mails - Rumors sent by e-mail or posted on social media networking sites - Spreading of embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles of students SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS THE WAYS STUDENTS WRITE - The use of social media in the classroom - Can also result in negative learning outcomes on student’s spelling and grammar competencies - PR Newswire - 2017 - Dictionary.com - Study - Majority of teachers think that students who use social media develop bad spelling and grammar habits - The reason is that these platforms promote the use of: - short and quipped statements - As well as images for responses - Example: - Social media platform Twitter puts a 280-character limit on a user’s ability to compose a tweet - PR Newswire - 2017 - This character limit leads users to a shorter attention span - When it comes to reading and writing - And affect the ability to write correct sentences CHAPTER 9: BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OR BIODIVERSITY - Define by Convention on Biological Diversity - 1992 - Is the variability among living organisms in the terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic resources of the Earth - The ecological aspects of diversity include diversity within species and between species and ecosystems THREE LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY 1. Species diversity - High number of species - Low number of species 2. Genetic diversity - High diversity within a population - Low diversity within a population 3. Ecosystem diversity - Narrow distribution of ecosystems - Wide distribution of ecosystems SPECIES DIVERSITY - Is the heterogeneity of living species in a given region or habitat Species - Is a group of organisms of similar individuals that are capable of interbreeding - They are grouped based on the similar characteristics of their family - A current number of species of the world - varies from 5 million to nearly 100 million. - There are 1.7 million that have been identified to date - A complete list of the species is difficult to obtain - - as many organisms such as lower plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms - such as fungi, protozoans, bacteria, and viruses, have not yet been identified. Habitat - Place where the different species live - Different habitats include: - Tropical rainforest - Temperate forest - Grassland (savanna) - Desert - Aquatic - Polar ice (tundra) - And tide pools GENETIC DIVERSITY - Describes the variety in the number of genetic types - As well as the chromosomes present in different species in a given region - It is the differences in the genetic makeup between species - And the variety within a single species - The extent of variation among species increases as their habitat increases in size - The genetic variation increases through chromosome mutation among individuals that are sexually active - Spreading in the population by genetic recombination of materials during cell division after sexual reproduction - The degree of diversity in the level of the genes is crucial because it represents the material for evolution and adaptation - When there is more diversity among the species in population, - - - there is a greater chance among individuals to adapt to the changing environment Lesser diversity - Will lead to uniformity of species - Which will have a smaller chance to adapt to the changing environment If the environment changes frequently - Diverse genes will have an advantage at different times or places Gene - is elemental in natural selection and the evolution of new species - For it is useful in adapting to changes in different environmental conditions and essential for agricultural productivity and development ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY - Is a type of biodiversity that refers to the variation in the ecosystems in a region Ecosystem - A biological community that includes all living things - Such as animals, plants, and microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria - Interacting in a certain region with non-living things - Such as weather, climate, temperature, soil, air, sun, atmosphere, among others. - A vast range of land and water environments have been classified into different ecosystems Habitats include: - Terrestrial ecosystems - such as coniferous forest, - tropical forest, - savanna, - desert, - tundra, - and deciduous forest; Aquatic ecosystems - such as saltwater - like the ocean - and freshwaters - like the lakes, ponds, and rivers Tropical Rainforest - The world’s richest habitat - It only consist 7% of the world’s surface - However, these area contain 50% to 90% of all plant and animal species The major ecosystems of the world include: - tropical evergreen forest - tropical deciduous forest - tropical thorn forest - Chaparral - cold desert - temperate grassland - Savanna - hot desert - polar ice cap - boreal forest - Tundra - and alpine. - THE PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY Vanishing treasures of the Philippine Rainforest - Kitching, Heaney, and Regalado - 1999 - Describes the Philippines as “the Galapagos Islands times ten” Galapagos Islands - For biologists, it is important because it was Charles Darwin’s visit to the islands that influences his conception of the THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION Philippines - Regarded as one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world because it has rich diversity and endemicity of species - Composed of 7,641 islands with a total land area of 50 million hectares - It is considered the smallest of the 17 megadiverse countries of the world covering only 2/100 of the total land area of the Earth - 20,000 species of plants and animals were recorded existing in the Philippines, and half of those are not found in any other country - There are roughly 7,620 species of plants documented in the country, 5382 of which are presumed to be endemic - Given this, the Philippines ranks 23rd in the world | and ranks 6th in Southeast Asia in terms of plant diversity. - The Philippines is also ranked 4th in terms of bird endemism | and 5th in term of mammalian and reptilian endemism - Approximately 33% of flora, 75% of amphibians, 70% of reptiles, and 44% of birds are endemic in the Philippine archipelago. Endemic Species - Are plants or animals that are native to one land or country and not found anywhere else in the world Dr. Heaney’s Expedition - Led to the discovery of 140 species of mammals that are only found in the country. - Such as the: - Smallest water buffalo - The world’s largest rat - And the world’s largest bat - And the world’s smallest bat PHILIPPINE’S PROFILE IN THE UNITED NATIONS’ CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY - Shows the country’s biodiversity profile Status and Trends of Biodiversity, Including Benefits from Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services - - - - - - - - - The Philippines Philippines is one of the 18 mega-biodiverse countries in the world Containing two-thirds of the biodiversity of the Earth and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animal species The country ranks 5th in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the world’s flora The species endemism in the country is very high, covering 49% of terrestrial wildlife and at least 25 genera of plants, as the country ranks 4th in bird endemism. Also one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world with at least 700 threatened species, thus making it one of the top global conservation areas In 2004, the National List of Threatened Faunal Species was established and further included 42 species of land mammals, 127 species of birds, 14 species of amphibians, and 24 species of reptiles In terms of fishes, the country recorded at least 3,214 species of fishes where approximately 121 of which are endemic and 76 are regarded as threatened In 2007, an administrative order that was issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) creates a national list of threatened plant species and specifying that 99 species were critically endangered, 187 were endangered, 176 are vulnerable, and 64 are threatened. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the Philippines has 7.2 million ha of forest ecosystems, consisting of 24% of the total land area It is estimated that between 2000 and 2005, the country lost 2.1% of - - - - - - - its forest cover annually which made it the second fastest rate of deforestation in Southeast Asia (second to Myanmar) and seventh in the whole world In Southeast Asia, the country is also part of the center of diversity of coconut, rice, taro, yam, and mung bean, as well as the center of origin and diversity of bananas. Yet this agricultural biodiversity is currently experiencing a general decline, as is the land area devoted to these activities For inland water biodiversity in the Philippines, there is also a decreasing trend in water quality, fishes, biodiversity, and cultural value in the country’s largest lake or the Laguna de Bay and its branch or tributary rivers While the country also have unique marine, coastal, and island biodiversity since it is located at the center of highest marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle A study that was conducted in 2005 noted that there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the country than anywhere in Wallacea and Indonesia however the ecosystem is also greatly at risk While in 2005, in the review of the state of the marine and coastal environment, it showed that mangrove, reef, and seagrass cover and fishery production are substantially declining. The Philippines generally obtain large benefits from its ecosystems as it acknowledges the vital role of river basins, watersheds, and coastal areas in the environment and as a source of livelihood in the society while the forest ecosystem provides ecological services that benefit industries, agriculture, power, and water needs of the country as the production of forest areas for agroforestry and tree plantations activities became sources of jobs and revenues as agriculture was represented 18.4% of the 2007 GDP of the country. IMPACTS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS Biodiversity - Variety of living species on earth including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria - Provides humans resources such as water, food, and medicine - Human’s greatly benefit form the environment and the planet’s biodiversity - A source of food, medicine, energy, and nutrients - It provides humans the resources in order to survive - Any disruption or destruction in the Earth’s biodiversity will also affect the life and health of the people Edward O. Wilson - An American evolutionary biologist - Predicted that the plant loses approximately 27,000 species per year - He based his estimate on the rapid disappearance of ecosystems and destruction of biomes, particularly tropical forests and grasslands - The majority of the past five mass extinctions that happened - were brought about by catastrophic events and physical disasters - However, Wilson and many other biologists - believe that the next mass extinction will not result from a physical disaster but from the disruption and destruction of the - ecosystem caused by the human race. The human exploitation of the Earth and its resources by humans poses a greater danger than past catastrophic physical disasters CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS Increase in human population - Primary cause of environmental degradation is the increase in human population - Humans harness products from the environment to survive - Overpopulation leads to the destruction of habitats - Which is associated with: - Industrialization and agriculture - Mining - Fishing - Deforestation - Environmental pollution - And exploitation of biodiversity Introduction of exotic species, poaching of wildlife, and technological developments - Also causes of biodiversity loss - Because these activities interfere with the natural order of existing ecosystems The decrease in forest cover around the world - Is also a CATALYST in biodiversity loss - - - - - - The development of technology - Has positive and negative effects on biodiversity and society - From the agricultural revolution ot the present - Technology has played a role in the changes happening to ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity - Forests - Were cleared to give way to build different infrastructures Illegal logging - Proliferated because of the value seen in timber in the construction of buildings and furniture and also for cooking and heating Trees - As the stopgap of carbon dioxide - Keep and hold as much carbon dioxide as they can When trees are cut - Carbon dioxide is sent back to the atmosphere - Thus, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the environment Pollutants - Created by the clearing forest covers include dung from grazing animals and fertilizers from farms t - That contaminates the water, soil, and atmosphere. Factories and industrial plants - Release: - Greenhouse gases - Nitrogen - Sulfur oxides - Hydrogen fluoride - Hydrogen chloride - Arsenic - Lead - And formaldehyde Intensive agriculture and mining - Provide and produce goods for economic growth - However, these activities may damage the environment because of chemical pollution and eutrophication Biodiversity loss can also contribute to: - climate change - Pest infestations - diseases 14th World Congress of Public Health - Held in India - In 2015 - Emphasized the relationship between human health and biodiversity Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Human Health - Report - Said that protecting animals, plants, and ecosystems means protecting humanity’s health Conference of the Parties (COP) - Adopted “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011- 2020” - With 20 global targets as Aichi Biodiversity Targets - National and international efforts to conserve biodiversity - Aichi - Focuses on how the ecosystem contributes to health and well-being - It gives opportunities to improve both global and human health, as well as ecosystem health. - The COP made a decision to further strengthen its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations to uphold biodiversity issues in plans and health programs. EFFECTS OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS The prevailing loss of biodiversity - May pose great consequences and prevent the achievement of sustainable development goals and targets - Particularly those related to poverty, hunger, and health The decrease in biodiversity and environmental degradation - make improvised communities vulnerable to illnesses and natural disasters - It also reduces options for sustainable development Human health - Depends on the availability of resources from the ecosystem such as water and food necessary for humans to be healthy Changes in the ecosystem - Will also change: - Livelihood - Income - Economy - Politics - Social relations - And the availability of medicine and health services The destruction of the environment - May also cause mental distress among humans Depression and emotional stress - may be caused by the destruction of property, habitat, and the surrounding landscape Pollution - Can adversely affect one’s physical health and well-being Oposa v. Factoran - Is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines - That recognizes the doctrine of intergenerational responsibility on the environment - It was filed by minors, who, through their parents, sought to make DENR Secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr. cancel all existing TIMBER LICENSING AGREEMENTS (TLA) in the Philippines - And cease reception, acceptance, renewal. Processing, or appraisal of new TLAs DENR Secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr. - Argued that there is a regulation on the issuance of the timber agreement - He also states that the plaintiff cannot file a case that includes minors and children yet unborn since they are not of legal age. The Court - Did not agree with Factoran - It stressed that while the rights to a balanced and healthful ecology is found in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies and not under the Bill of Rights - It should not be taken that such right is less important than any of the civil and political right in the Bill of Rights - It stated that the right is linked to the constitutional right to health, so it is fundamental, constitutional, self-executing, and judicially enforceable. - Therefore, such right imposes the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment and implies, among other things, the judicious management and conservation of the country’s forests. - The court sided with the petitioners and declared that the petitioners were able to file a class suit both for their generations and generations to come because the minor’s assertion of their right to a sound environment comes with the obligation to ensure the protection of the rights of those yet to be born. PRESSURES TO BIODIVERSITY The Philippines - Is considered to be a biodiversity hotspot - However, while it boast of high biodiversity and endemism - It also experiences high rates of extinction and environmental collapse FACTORS THAT PUT PRESSURE ON BIODIVERSITY LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY 1. Habitat Destruction - Alteration or complete destruction of natural habitats is a MAJOR FACTOR that impacts biodiversity. - The way humans rapidly alter the ecosystem can decrease species diversity and may cause extinction - For example: - The continuous logging and conversion of forests - May decrease the number of species thriving in the area - Deforestation - Results in the loss of natural habitats of birds, mammals, and other vertebrates - Coastal developments geared for tourism - Result in destruction of marine life 2. Invasive Alien Species - Alien species - Are non-natural or exotic species that are not native in a particular area - The introduction of non-indegenous species to an area can cause species diversity to decline - Since these species are often invasive and compete for resources such as food and space - They are often characterized with high reproductive rates and may outnumber natural and endemic species 3. High population density and growth rates - The continuous increase in human population increases the demand for food supply and resources - The conversion of land for food production and human habitation causes biodiversity loss - Products and services from natural ecosystems amy be exploited 4. Climate change - Climate change is the direct and dominant driver of biodiversity loss - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - 50% of Asia’s coral reefs are at risk because of climate change - ASEAN countries are predicted to be the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. 5. Illegal wildlife trade - ASEAN-WEN (Wildlife Enforcement Network) - 100 million animals are being hunted for their meat - Illegal wildlife trade which directly reduces biodiversity is valued at 10 to 20 billion dollars 6. Deficiencies in the knowledge on biodiversity - Public awareness and education on the importance of biodiversity are necessary to conserve it - Raising consciousness among individuals and communities may help in addressing threats to the earth’s biodiversity and improving natural ecosystems. 7. Inadequate enforcement of environmental laws and poor political will - Regulations, policies, and laws have been enacted to preserve the environment; however, they are not properly enforced 8. Failure to put value on the environment - The Value of the World’s Ecosystem Services and Natural Capita - Study - Published in Nature - In 1997 - The value of ecosystem services amount to 33 trillion dollars per year - And the majority of the value of these services is outside the market system. CHAPTER 10: GENETIC ENGINEERING - GENETIC ENGINEERING - Also known as recombinant DNA technology - Refers to all techniques that allow desirable genetic traits from a plant, animal, or microorganism to be incorporated into an unrelated species - The DNA with desirable traits - Is directly incorporated or recombined more quickly and more reliably into the DNA of target species - This technology allows plant cells or animal embryos to be utilized in regenerating cells, organs, and even a whole organism. - Thus, a wider range of traits with commercial applications is now available to a plant or animal breeder. - GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO) - Also referred to as transgenic - Is a product of genetic engineering - GMOs are living cells or organisms with altered or modified DNA - Making them capable of producing new substances or performing new functions. Biological substances - That have practical commercial applications that were once rare or scarce can now be made readily available through genetic engineering. Other substances - That were once available in small quantities from animals or plants are now available in large quantities through the manipulation and alteration of genes. Insulin - Use of Escherichia coli in the production of Insulin Insulin was originally obtained from the pancreas of slaughtered hogs and bovines, making it expensive and inaccessible. Now, genetically engineered human insulin can be mass produced through the use of synthetic genes. USES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING IN DIFFERENT FIELDS: MEDICINE - Aside from insulin for diabetes - Several medically useful proteins like interferon, synthetic vaccines against malaria, rabies, and hepatitis B have also been developed - The process of genetic engineering has other medical applications such as screening for genetic diseases and D NA fingerprinting to identify bacteria or viruses that causes diseases. Examples of Human Proteins Produced by Genetically Engineered E. coli.: Interferons (alpha, beta, y) - Function: - A family of 20-25 low-molecular-weight proteins that cause cells to become resistant to the growth of a wide variety of viruses. - Medical use: - Antiviral - Antitumor - Anti inflammatory Factor VIII and IX - Function: - Blood-clotting factor - Medical use: - Prevention of bleeding in heamophiliacs Growth hormone-releasing factor - Function: - Stimulates secretion of growth hormone - Medical use: - Growth promotion Epidermal growth factor - Function: - Epidermal cell growth - Tooth eruption - Medical use: - Wound healing Erythropoietin - Function: - Stimulates production of blood cells - Medical use: - Treatment of anemia FOOD INDUSTRY - Food can be genetically modified to have more protein or other enzymes, improving the nutritional value and even medicinal properties of these products. - Bacteria, fungi, and cultured mammalian cells are used to mass-produce these products Examples of Economically Important Biological Products: Invertase enzyme - Microbial origin: - Aspergillus oryzae - Yeasts - And other fungi - Use: - Production of invert sugar for sweets Proteases enzyme - Microbial origin: - Bacillus subtilis - And other bacteria - Also fungi - Use: - Additives for detergents - And in tanning Pectinolytic enzymes - Microbial origin: - Fungi - Use: - Clarifying fruit juices Ethanol - Microbial origin: - Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Use: - Alcoholic beverages AGRICULTURE - Genetically engineered crops or transgenic plants are now available in many countries worldwide - In 1996 different countries were already growing transgenic plants in large scales such as: - United States - Canada - Argentina - Australia - China - Mexico - Herbicide-tolerant, insect-resistant, and virus-resistant crops - Offer more effective options for pest control without the use of toxic pesticides while increasing crop yields - Examples of such application are plants like transgenic cotton, potato, and corn - Which all contain the endotoxin gene from Bacillus thuringiensis Bacillus thuringiensis - Bt - Is a common soil bacterium that produces a toxin that affects only certain insects such as Lepidoptera larvae (e.g., corn borer) - But not other organisms that may be beneficial to the plant In the Philippines - Genetic engineering is applied in the PRODUCTION OF CROPS - Genetically modified CORN - Has helped farmers’ crops become resistant to corn borers - There are currently 400,000 farmers in the country who have raised biotech corn - Another example of a crop now being genetically modified is the EGGPLANT - Eggplant - Is the number one veritable in terms of production area in the philippines - With an average of 21,225 hectares planted each year - Eggplant farmers suffer significant yield loss due to the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (FSB) - Bt eggplant - Expresses Bt gene - Enabling it to produce the same toxin that makes it resistant to FSB Some successful genetically modified crops: ● Corn, soybean, canola, sugar beet, squash, and potato that require fewer applications of herbicides and pesticides ● Tomatoes that have a delayed ripening process, resulting in more flavor and color ● Soybeans that are lower in saturated fats and offer frying stability ● Papayas that are resistant to ringspot virus ● Peanuts with high oleic acid content ● “Golden Rice” with high vitamin A (beta carotene) content ● Apples that do not turn brown even after having been peeled ● And carnation that produce blue-mauve flowers FUTURE APPLICATIONS - Fruits and vegetables - Will be modified to be disease-resistant - And have long shelf-life - Soon, they may also contain substances such as antigens, antibodies, growth hormones, enzymes, collagen, and vitamins - That can potentially treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. ISSUES AND CONCERNS Genetic engineering - Is a controversial issue because it poses ethical concerns Frankenfood - Critics have branded GMO products as this - It is based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein - A story about the scientist Victor Frankenstein who created a monster that turned against his own creator. - This brand of criticism warn of the possible negative side effects of GMOs Common issues and concerns on GMOs related to health and environment: ● Possible side effects on non-target organisms such as beneficial insects, mammals, wildlife, and endangered or threatened species in the environment ● Possible gene flow to or crossing with other varieties including indigenous crops and with wild relatives ● Possible formation of resistant insect pests and microorganisms ● ● - Possible persistence of toxins in the environment And possible formation of human diseases such as allergy and cancer GMO CONTAMINATION - There is a possibility that modified genes may cross with indegenous crops or wild organisms - For example: - With the wide proliferation of Bt corn - It will sooner or later cross-pollinate native corn varieties (yellow or white corn) that are locally used as food and animal fodder. - The contamination of indegenous crops with genetically engineered DNA - Is permanent and will be extremely difficult and expensive to aredicate - Which can possibly drive indegenous species of crops to extinction. GMO RISK - Scientists who are critical of GMOs are questioning the health and environmental risks that GMOs pose. - Studies have shown that consuming and producing GMOs can result in the formation of new and/or more virulent strains of infectious agents - The prevalence of toxins in the soil, killing of non-target organisms, and other unpredictable and unknown long-term effects are also concerns of GMO critics. The following are some example of missteps concerning GMOs: 1. BT toxin and monarch butterflies 2. Wolfenbarger and Phifer - 2000 - Laboratory experiments suggest that death may occur among monarch butterfly larvae that ingest Bt corn pollen on host plants. Bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or Posilac - Milk from cows injected with rBGH - Human abnormalities have been attributed to drink milk from cows injected with rBGH - The milk contains high levels of a protein fraction called INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 (IGF-1) - Which has been linked to the formation of breast, prostate, and colon cancers. - Other wideraning well-documented abnormalities in rBGH milk include - Reduction of short-chain fatty acid and increase in long-chain fatty acid levels - Posing heart diseases - Increase in levels of a thyroid hormone enzyme - Frequency of pus cells in milk due to - mastitis (breast tissue infection) And contamination of milk with unapproved drugs for treating mastitis. rBGH - Also increases the incidence of fraternal twins Epstein - 2010 - Multiple gestations - are more prone to complications such as: - Premature delivery - Congenital defects - And pregnancy-in duced hypertension - Than are single pregnancies. 3. Terminator or suicide seeds - Monsanto - American agrochemical agricultural biotechnology company - Patented a technology that creates sterle dees to protect its patented synthetic genes - Called “terminator technology” by the media, - sterile seed technology is a type of GENE USE RESTRICTION TECHNOLOGY (GURT) - In which seed produced by a crop will not grow - Crops will not produce viable offspring seeds or will produce viable seeds with specific genes switched off - SHIVA, 2013 PATENT ISSUE - The issue of authorization is also present - Particularly regarding who is authorized to use modified or layered genes. Bt toxic gene - Is protected by the patent of the agrochemical company, Monsanto - If Bt corn contaminates native corn varieties - Monsanto may sue local farmers for unauthorized possession of their protected gene Monsanto - Has already sued and won such such suits against US and Canadian farmers - These farmers were fined with large amounts of money for the presence of Monsanto's patented soya and couple genes in their crop fields. ETHICAL ISSUE - Many critics claim that the technology of genetic engineering goes against religious beliefs - because its essence revolves around the idea of “playing God” as GMOs directly modify the natural functions and processes of organisms. However, major religious groups have also made positive statements regarding genetic engineering: Vatican Pontifical Academy - For life sciences Gave a prudent yes to genetic engineering of plants and animals But not to the genetic modification of humans Church of England’s Synod for Social Responsibility - According to them, technology and medicine are based on the human intervention of natural processes - and genetic engineering does not seem different from other scientific developments. Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia - Stated that Muslim world that is not blessed with fertile agricultureal land should seize the opportunity provided by resilient GMO crops - Because, similar to other countless knowledge bestowers upon humans by Allah, - Genetic engineering is a breakthrough that can be used for the good of mankind. Research institutions, as well as those concerned with public health and safety, generally attest to the safety of genetically-engineered crops: 1. National Research Council - 2004 - To date, no adverse health effects attributed to genetic engineering have been documented in the human population 2. American Association for the Advancement of Science - 2012 - Indeed, the science is quite clear: crop improvement by the modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe. 3. Council on Science and Public Health - 2012 - Bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature. 4. World Health Organization - 2014 - Genetically modified foods currently available in the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. - In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved 5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration - 2015 - Foods from genetically engineered plants intended to be grown in the United States that have been evaluated by FDA through the consultation process have not gone in the market until the FDA’s questions about the safety of such products have been resolved. 6. European Commission - 2010 - The main conclusion to be drawn from the effort of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than, e.g., conventional plant breeding technologies. THE BT TALONG CASE IN THE PHILIPPINES - One notable controversy concerning genetically engineered crops is the case of Bt talong testing in the Philippines. Supreme Court of the Philippines - 2015 - Ordered the banning of the field testing of Bt talong - As well as the application for field testing, contained use, propagation, and importation of GMOs. - The decision came about in response to the call from several environmental groups to act on the presumed health and environmental risks of the use of Bt talong. However, several months later - The Court reversed its decision unanimously saying that the case should have been dismissed for mootness as the Bt talong field trials have been completed and terminated, and the biosafety permits have already expired. The Court’s initial ruling - prompted farmers and scientists to come forward to call for the reversal of the decision. - They argued that the ban on testing and propagation of Bt talong deprived farmers of modern means of raising their productivity through the genetically-engineered eggplant that is resistant to FSB, as farmers would have to rely on using expensive insecticides to protect their crops Bt talong - Has long been tested and produced in other developing countries such as India and Bangladesh, where no substantial adverse effects to either human health or the environment have been recorded. - Also, Bt talong encourages the use of pesticides, the traditional means of getting rid of pests, which kill even potentially beneficial organisms and pollute the farm environment. - Thus, the belief that Bt talong would disrupt the natural ecological balance is deemed by the proponents and supporters of the Bt talong to be groundless. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES Transgenic plants that are now being used in other countries - have undergone stricter laboratory and field test to prove that they are safe for humans and the environment In the United States - Transgenic plants are evaluated by three regulatory agencies: - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) In the Philippines - National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) - Regulates researches on transgenic plants in the Philippines - Created in 1990 through the Executive Order 430 - Formulates policies and guidelines on activities - involving genetic engineering and the research, production, and distribution of GMOs. - It is a multisectorial body composed of the: - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - The Department of Health (DOH) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) The Department of Agriculture (DA) - In 2002 - It issued Administrative Order No. 8 - Or the “Rule and Regulations on Importation and Release into the Environment of Plants and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Genetic Engineering.” Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - The Philippines is one of the signatories to this - It is an international agreement on biosafety as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity effective since 2003 - The Biosafety Protocol - Seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by GMOs. - The guidelines ensure the safety of the [blic and the environment before granting permission for research in this field. GENETIC ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES Agricultural biotechnology - Recognized by the Philippine government as an effective tool in attaining: - food security - Sustainable agriculture - And in the promotion of health and food/ environmental safety Research involving transgenic crops is conducted at the following institutions: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) - Los Banos, Laguna - Which develops varieties of rice and works environmental sustainability in rice farming National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) - Los Banos, Laguna - Which researches on and develops programs to achieve sustainability to create better food and feed products, as well as medical drugs Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) - Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija - Attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) - And develops methods and technology to improve crop yields - Making agricultural processes more efficient and cost effective Institute of Plant Breeding - University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna - That handles the development and improvement of plants and crops, other than rice. Philippines Carabao Center - Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija - Which is also attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) - And aims to conserve the country’s carabao population CHAPTER 11: THE NANO WORLD NANO - Symbol n - Is a unit prefix meaning “one billionth.” - Means the billionth of a meter or 10-9 meter - Used primarily with the metric system, this prefix denotes a factor of 10-9 or 0.000000001 - It is frequently encountered ins science and electronics for prefixing units of time and length - To illustrate the size of a nano object - A sheet if paper measures around 100,000 nanometers in thickness - And a typical hair strand measures between 50 and 180,000 nanometers in diameter NANOTECHNOLOGY - Defined by US Foresight Institute as an - Emerging technology in which the structure of matter is controlled at the nanometer to produce novel materials and devices that have useful and unique properties - The term nanotechnology simply means technology with the dimensions of less 100 nanometers - It is also referred to as ATOMICALLY PRECISE TECHNOLOGY (APT) NANOSCIENCE - Studies the phenomena, properties, and responses of materials at the atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales. 4th Century AD - Nanotechnology and nanoscience are relatively new innovations however, the use of nanomaterials dates back to as a early as the 4th century Ad Romans - There is evidence that they use nanomaterials to decorate glasses and cups - Even the stained glass windows in churches were made of nanoparticles from gold and silver. RICHARD FEYNMAN - The CONCEPT of nanotechnology was first introduced by him - 1959 - In his lecture entitled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” - At CalTech - Fyenman described molecular machines capable of building structures with atomic precision - 1955 - I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” NORIO TANIGUCHI - The TERM nanotechnology was first used by him - To describe the processes of separation, consolidation, and deformation of one atom or one molecule. 1980s - Two important microscopes were invented to further study nanomaterials: - Scanning Tunneling Microscope - 1981 - Atomic Force Microscope - 1986 Annually - Numerous scientific articles on nanotechnology are published annually worldwide - Over 2,500 patents are filed annually at major patent offices. TWO APPROACHES IN NANOTECHNOLOGY: BOTH APPROACHES - These approaches control the manufacture of smaller, more complex objects - As illustrated by micro- and nanoelectronics TOP-DOWN APPROACH - One application of the top-down approach is device miniaturization in the electronics industry, from microelectronics to nanoelectronics - Intel’s microprocessor Pentium II - Released in 1997 - Has a size of 0.35 microns - Pentium 4 - Released in 2004 - Has entered the nanoscale having a size of 65 nanometers - Begins with a pattern generated on a larger scale, then reduced to nanoscale - Relatively expensive and time consuming technique - The approach use larger (macroscopic) initial structures - The structures can be externally-controlled in the processing of nanostructures BOTTOM-UP APPROACH - Is when the material “creates itself” - Such as the chemical synthesis in the process of making thin polymer fibers - This approach includes self-organization or self-assembly of living systems - Strat with atoms or molecules and build up to nanostructures - Fabrication is much less expensive - Includes the miniturization of materials components (atomic level) leading to formation of nanostructures During self assembly the physical forces operating at nanoscale are used to combine basic units into larger stable structure Solid particles in a visible scale - Have properties that are DIFFERENT from nanoparticles Particles at the nanoscale - Have unique physical, mechanical, chemical, and optical properties - These unique properties (e.g., optical properties) may be utilized for various applications in the fields of engineering, medicine, and biology Nanoscale gold - Is not the familiar yellow compared to the large scale gold particles - For they may appear red or purple Nanomaterials and nanoparticles - Such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, quantum dots, quantum wires, nanofibers, and nanocomposites - Are already being utilized for various commercial products THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) - Categorized nanomaterials into four types: - Carbon-based - Metal-based - Dendrimers - Nanocomposites CARBON-BASED MATERIALS - These are mostly made up of carbon in the form of hollow spheres, ellipsoids, or tubes. - FULLERENES - Refers to the hollow spheres and ellipsoids - Consist of 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal rings - NANOTUBES - Refers to cylindrical ones - - Carbon nanotubes (CNT) ball-and-stick model This nanotechnology is often applied to bearing seals and break pads for military vehicles METAL-BASED MATERIALS - These nanomaterials include quantum dots, nanogolds, nanosilvers, and metal oxides such as titanium dioxides - QUANTUM DOTS - Composed of semiconductor crystals with hundreds of atoms - that can be manipulated to change optical properties - NANOGOLDS AND NANOSILVERS - Have important biomedical applications - such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and as biosensors - METAL OXIDES - Particularly titanium oxides - Have anti-microbial properties - and may be used for water treatment and purification DENDRIMERS - These are nanosized polymers built from branches units - The NUMEROUS CHAIN ENDS OF DENDRIMERS - May be manipulated to perform biochemical actions - Such as improving drugs and drug delivery - Advantages - Easy to functionalize due to structure - Molecular weight and size can be controlled - Degradation can be controlled - Biocompatible - Withstands physiological conditions - - Can selectively target cancer cells Disadvantages: - Difficult to synthesize large quantities pure enough for clinical trials NANOCOMPOSITES - Are composite materials made up of nanoparticles put together molecule by molecule - These are added to product to enhance - Mechanical - Thermal - And flame-retardant properties - They also have applications in energy storage and conversion - Polymer + nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanoplatelets, or nanotubes- direct mixing - = nano composites APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE MEDICAL FIELD - Drug Delivery Techniques - Nanotechnology is used here - Particularly DENDRIMERS - This is a type of nanostructure that can be designed and manufactured to carry different materials that can recognize diseased cells, diagnose diseases, deliver drugs, and report therapy outcomes - David Ruth and Jade Boyd - 2017 - Rice University and Northwestern University - GOLD NANOSHELLS - Are capable of delivering toxic doses of two drugs, namely lapatinib - and docetaxel, inside breast cancer cells - Utilizing gold nanoshells could also result in less side effects MIT team led by Karp and Langer - In first aid, a BANDAGE - that is waterproof, elastic, and able to dissolve in the skin over time was developed by them - The bandage is composed of nanopillars that function similar to the feet of geckos that use chemical interactions between the nanopillars and biosurfaces CARBON NANOTUBES (CNTs) - Its unique properties and structures provide wide ranging applications - They are DISTINCT FROM CARBON FIBERS - That are traditionally used in industrial products such as tennis rackets, baseball bats, car and airplane frames, and batteries - CNTs have distinct properties such as size, structural integrity, and high electronic conductivity, that make them ideal electron emitters - There properties also make them potentially viable for effective energy production and storage - ELECTRON EMISSION MATERIALS - Are used in flare panel displays, electron gun in electron microscopes, and microwave amplifiers - CNT-BASED MEMBRANES - - Are used for water desalination and nanoscale sensors - To identify water contaminants Since CNTs have surfaces with chemical properties and one-dimensional structures - they are good adsorbents of organic and inorganic pollutants - Thereby aiding in water treatment process NANOSCALE TITANIUM DIOXIDE PHOTOCATALYSIS - Has antibacterial effects that can be applied to: - air and water treatment - Anti-fogging - And self-cleaning - Various application of photocatalysis (light + TiO2) of tin dioxide - Anti-fogging - Self-cleaning - Water treatment - Anti-microbial - Air-cleaning - PHOTOCATALYSIS OF NANOMATERIAL TIN DIOXIDE (TiO2) - Has been proven to have self cleaning building materials - That have super-hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic properties. - Self-cleaning is achieved by coating semiconductor photocatalyst tin dioxide on glass, ceramics, or plastics - BENEDIX ET AL., 2000 - TIN DIOXIDE - Also has antibacterial properties when exposed to UV light - - This causes the bacterial cell wall and cytoplasmic membranes to be damaged - HUANG & CHEN, 2000 - Bacteria the cause food-borne diseases can also be killed by the photocatalytic reaction of tin dioxide CHO ET AL. - 2007 - In their study - The pathogenic bacterial counts of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus in carrots - Were significantly reduced through photocatalysis of TITANIUM DIOXIDE - This shows another possible way of disinfecting fresh vegetables with less risk of negative side effects of dangerous chemicals NANOPARTICLES OF ANATASE TITANIUM DIOXIDE - Are also capable of eliminating harmful air pollutants - SCIENTIST FROM LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY - Found out that a high-quality TiO2 catalyst has the ability to remove: - Nitrous oxide (N20) - about 200 m/day - And typical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - 60 m/day - TITANIUM DIOXIDE AND ZINC OXIDE - Are also used in sunscreens for protection against harmful ultraviolet rays - And has great potential for the filtration and purification of water NANOFILMS - Can be used in thin films - To make them: - water-repellent, - anti-reflective, - ultraviolet, - infrared-resistant, - and scratch-resistant - They are used in the production of: - Eyeglasses - Computer monitors - And cameras - To protect their surfaces NANOSCALE MATERIALS THAT CONTAIN IRON - Used in reducing environmental pollution - Used to remedy groundwater sites and other areas with hazardous waste NANOSCALE ZERO-VALENT IRON (nZVI) - Has been shown to chemically reduce contaminants such as: - Tetrachloroethene (PCE) - Trichloroethene (TCE) - And cis-1,2 dichloroethylene (c-DCE)
