How to access and exploit natural resources sustainably: petroleum biotechnology

Abstract

SummaryAs we transition from fossil fuel reliance to a new energy future, innovative microbial biotechnologies may offer new routes to maximize recovery from conventional and unconventional energy assets; as well as contributing to reduced emission pathways and new technologies for carbon capture and utilization. Here we discuss the role of microbiology in petroleum biotechnologies in relation to addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), with a focus on microbially‐mediated energy recovery from unconventionals (heavy oil to methane), shale gas and fracking, bioelectrochemical systems for the production of electricity from fossil fuel resources, and innovations in synthetic biology. Furthermore, using wastes to support a more sustainable approach to fossil fuel extraction processes is considered as we undertake the move towards a more circular global economy.

The contribution of microbial biotechnology to economic growth and employment creation

“…There are a number of parameters that can be taken into consideration for assessing the innovation level of a particular sector, including the annual number of patent applications/research papers published/scientific meetings, the rate of creation of new dedicated university departments, rate of creation of start-ups, and by all these parameters, biotechnology is seen to be highly innovative. For a current snapshot of innovations in diverse sectors of microbial biotechnology, the reader is directed to the contributions published in this issue, particularly those by (Alvarez and Fernandez, 2017;Caselli, 2017;Cordero et al, 2017;D€ urre, 2017;Felgner et al, 2017;Garcia, 2017;Godoy et al, 2017;Gurry, 2017;Lee, 2017;Li and Gadd, 2017;de Lorenzo, 2017;Macaskie and Orozco, 2017;Narancic and O'Connor, 2017;Nealson, 2017;Ramos, 2017;Schmidt-Dannert, 2017;Sherry et al, 2017;Trivedi et al, 2017;Verstraete and Devrieze, 2017;Webster, 2017)see also SDG 8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-and mediumsized enterprises, including through access to financial services (see e.g. United Nations, 2015a,b).…”

Biohybrids: Textile fibres provide scaffolds and highways for microbial translocation

“…There is a global legacy of hydrocarbon contaminated ecosystems where options for novel or more efficient remediation strategies should continue to be a research focus ( Daghio et al, 2017 ; Sherry et al, 2017 ; Mejeha et al, 2019 ; Sherry et al, 2020 ). Despite a range of potential applications, this research centred around the potential to use living materials to improve crude oil bioremediation through seeding hydrocarbon-degrading microbes into polluted environments via microbe:textile biohybrids.…”

Feasibility Study for Spatial Distribution of Diesel Oil in Contaminated Soils by Laser Induced Fluorescence

“…Due to the high-speed economic development and energy shortage, petroleum gradually occupies an important role in modern society. The total output of petroleum is about 4.45 billion tons across the world nowadays, and it has come to be used for more and more fields [1,2]. In the process of exploitation, transportation, and production of petroleum, a large amount of petroleum will be spilled into the surrounding soils.…”