Page 3 - Academic Press Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology 3rd BioTechnology

P1: FJU Revised Pages Qu: 00, 00, 00, 00
Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN002C-60 May 17, 2001 20:23

Biomass Utilization, Limits of

David Pimentel
Cornell University

I. Biomass Resources
II. Conversion of Biomass Resources
III. Biogas
IV. Biomass and the Environment
V. Social and Economic Impacts
VI. Conclusion

GLOSSARY denaturant for ethyl alcohol and in the synthesis of
other chemicals.
Biodiversity All species of plants, animals, and microbes Pollution The introduction of foreign, usually man-
in one ecosystem or world. made, products or waste into the environment.
Biogas A mixture of methane and carbon dioxide pro- Pyrolysis Chemical change brought about by the action
duced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes of heat.
and used as a fuel. Subsidy A grant or gift of money.
Biomass Amount of living matter, including plants, ani-
mals, and microbes.
Energy Energy is the capacity to do work and includes THE INTERDEPENDENCY of plants, animals, and mi-
heat, light, chemical, acoustical, mechanical, and elec- crobes in natural ecosystems has survived well for bil-
trical. lions of years even though they only captured 0.1% of the
Erosion The slow breakdown of rock or the movement sun’s energy. All the solar energy captured by vegetation
and transport of soil from one location to another. Soil and converted into plant biomass provides basic resources
erosion in crop and livestock production is considered for all life, including humans. Approximately 50% of the
serious worldwide. world’s biomass is used by humans for food plus lumber
Ethanol Also called ethyl alcohol. A colorless volatile and pulp and medicines, as well as support for all other an-
flammable liquid with the chemical formula C 2 H 5 OH imals and microbes in the natural ecosystem. In addition
that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also used some biomass is converted into fuel.
as a solvent. Serious shortages of biomass for human use and main-
Methanol Also called methyl alcohol. A light volatile taining the biodiversity in natural ecosystems now exist
flammable liquid with the chemical formula CH 3 OH throughout the world. Consider that more than 3 billion
that is used especially as a solvent, antifreeze, or humans are now malnourished, short of food, and various

159