Powerful Ideas Critique

In the article “Powerful Ideas: Bacteria Clean Sewage and Create Electricity” (31 August 2009) by Charles Q. Choi, the possibility of using bacteria to clean waste is explored. The author states that “microbes could help generate power by cleaning up organic waste at the same time” (Choi 2009) He details discoveries made by the Penn State University’s environmental engineer Bruce Logan and Derek Lovley from the University of Massachusetts. Choi also voices that the possibilities of such a discovery are numerous. However Choi’s article lacks a number of key information that would allow the reader to form an educated opinion on the topic.

Choi’s evidence for his claim are the positive results published by both Logan and Lovley that imply that bacteria can be used to efficiently reduce saline concentration from wastewater while creating usable electricity. He summarizes both scientists on their results, “Geobacter can break down some 90 percent,” (Lovely 2009). However Choi uses evidence that only raise more questions than answer. He frequently uses quotes from the scientists themselves, but fails to elaborate. For example Choi quotes; “Geobacter grows by breaking down organic materials and transferring electrons pretty much onto anything that looks like iron,” (Lovley 2009) however after the statement he does not elaborate on how this would be useful in using bacteria to create energy. He also does not say how the waste organic matter is converted into usable electricity.

Another argument Choi makes is that wastewater would provide an almost limitless supply of energy. He does however state the statistics of energy produced, and recognizes that the energy produced by the bacteria is significantly lower than what is consumed, “they could provide roughly 500 trillion BTUs of energy – an impressive figure until compared with the roughly 100 000 trillion BTUs of energy the United States uses every year.”(Choi 2009) He counters this with the statement that the energy created from cleaning the wastewater of “animal, food industry and domestic wastewaters” (Choi 2009) could render the filtering and treatment processes self sufficient.

Choi then furthers his claims by stating that further advancements in the waste to energy process lie in the genetic engineering of the bacteria. He quotes positive results as evidence, also summarizing briefly, “resulting bacteria all had more hair-like filaments known as pili . . . more pili could lead to even more productive microbes” (Choi 2009). Here is another example of where Choi’s evidence fails to inform but rather raises confusions. He fails to add how pili themselves are related to the conversion of waste to electricity and why it is advantageous to breed these microbes.

Genetically engineering these microbes for commercial use also raises concerns that Choi either does not realize or ignores. For example he does not explore the environmental impact of the genetically engineered microbes if any were accidentally introduced into the surrounding habitat.

I think that Choi makes a reasonable claim, yet is somewhat overly optimistic in his views. He needs back up his ideas with more statistical facts and not leave out any negative effects the bacteria could have. He also needs to choose his evidence with more care rather than randomly quoting the researchers. He however supplies some useful evidence to his arguments. Though many are not sufficient for the readers to decide for themselves whether or not they can believe in a new energy source from bacteria as something they could support. I believe that Choi’s written views are sound however it does not seem like he has considered all sides of the issue, proven by the lack of negative effects or setbacks stated. His article plays more like an advertisement rather than a critical look at up and coming technology.

Reference:

Choi, Q. Peter (2009) Powerful Ideas: Bacteria Clean Sewage and Create Electricity. LiveScience, 31 August 2009. http://www.livescience.com/environment/090831-ideas-germ-power.html. Accessed September 25, 2009.