The definition of Environmental Biotechnology is as varied as the field itself.  The SCI Environmental Biotechnology Technical Interest Group defines the field as the deliberate use of biological means to conserve or change the chemistry of the land, the aqueous environment or the atmosphere.  Based on this definition, the Group has interests in:

• soil and sediment amelioration and remediation
• water purification
• selective removal of organic and inorganic pollutants
• biodegradation of organic pollutants
• inoculation with natural or genetically modified organisms
• treatment of contained wastes (including animal slurry and landfill)
• effluent treatment
• marine clean-up
• modification of gaseous emissions from effluents and contained wastes