At the dawn of the 21st century, biotechnology is emerging as a key enabling technology for sustainable environmental protection and stewardship. Biotechnology for the Environment: Soil Remediation offers a state-of-the-art account of environmental biotechnology both in emerging and in more mature technological applications of soil remediation and cleanup of contaminated sites. Harnessing the potential of microorganisms and plants as eco-efficient and robust cleanup agents in a variety of practical situations is not only possible but is becoming widespread practice. Chapters are featured on current experience and trends in bioremediation of contaminated soil, life cycle assessment software tools for remediation planning, ex situ cleanup technologies using slurry reactors, implementation of anaerobic and aerobic in situ processes including monitored natural attenuation, complementary technologies on pesticide immobilisation in soil or humification of nitroaromatics, and, finally, phytoremediation of recalcitrant organic compounds and heavy metals. For more information on Strategy and Fundamentals, see Focus on Biotechnology Volume 3A, and for more information on Waste Water and Waste Gas Handling, see Focus on Biotechnology Volume 3C.

At the dawn of the 21st century, biotechnology is emerging as a key enabling technology for sustainable environmental protection and stewardship. Biotechnology for the Environment: Wastewater Treatment and Modeling, Waste Gas Handling illustrates the current technological applications of microorganisms in wastewater treatment and in the control of waste gas emissions. In the first section of the book special emphasis is placed on the use of rigorous mathematical and conceptual models for an in-depth understanding of the complex biology and engineering aspects underlying the operation of modern wastewater treatment installations. The second part addresses waste gas biofiltration, an expanding biotechnological application of microbial metabolism for air quality assurance through processes ranging from the abatement of hazardous volatile pollutants to the elimination of nuisance odors. It will be a valuable reference source for environmental scientists, engineers and decision makers involved in the development, evaluation or implementation of biological treatment systems. For more information on Strategy and Fundamentals, see Focus on Biotechnology, Volume 3A, and for more information on Soil Remediation, see Focus on Biotechnology, Volume 3B.

A timely overview of techniques for involving biological organisms in the remediation of polluted ecosystems As a result of worldwide industry, urbanization, and population growth, many harmful organic and inorganic pollutants have been introduced into the environment. With bioremediation, we can use fungi, bacteria, and plants—along with their secondary metabolites—to clean up areas that have been affected by industrial and commercial activities. Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation presents a thorough consideration of the most important biologically-based remediation methods in use today. Environmental biotechnology is a more sustainable alternative to chemical and mechanical remediation methods, which explains the rapidly growing popularity of these techniques. This edited volume summarizes our current understanding of bioremediation approaches and presents research outcomes from a diverse selection of geographies and ecosystems. Chapters cover remediation techniques for pollutants affecting soil, water, air, and sediments, as well as tools for addressing these issues, including tools for assessment and monitoring. Uniquely, Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation emphasizes the latest findings on the use of secondary metabolites in bioremediation. Other topics covered include chemical sustainability, nanotechnology, and biofuels. Readers will gain an understanding of issues including: How biological organisms and their secondary metabolites are currently being used in environmental remediation projects worldwide New applications for phytomolecules, lichens, nanoparticles, rhizobacteria, and other technologies, as well as future directions for bioremediation The steps in the process of biotechnology-driven remediation, including detection, investigation, assessment, cleanup, redevelopment, and monitoring Remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons, algal carbon sequestration, wastewater management, and the role of fatty acid and proteins in remediation The investigations in this book provide important knowledge for researchers in biotechnology, ecology, environmental science, and related disciplines. Additionally, policymakers and NGOs with an interest in remediating environmental contaminants will gain valuable context. Biotechnology in Environmental Remediation is a foundation for future research on biotechnological interventions for a clean planet.

Innovative Bio-Based Technologies for Environmental Remediation explores the recent applications of both the latest and broad practical and theoretical aspects of environmental remediation with an aim to combine various innovation-based biotechnology for waste management, waste minimization, and waste to economy. This book summarizes the recent progress of bio-based technologies for environmental remediation at both an experimental and a theoretical model level. An emphasis has been made on trends and the probable future of sustainable techniques to reduce waste and harmful compounds from the environment. Biological-based technologies have low operating costs and involve direct degradation of organic pollutants without the release of toxic intermediates. Recent applications covered in this book include process intensification in bio-based approaches, green technology, phytoremediation, biopolymers, biosurfactants for environmental applications, and other bio-based technologies with sustainable design and the future of remediation are also discussed. This book is an important reference source for environmental scientists and engineers who are seeking to improve their understanding of how bio-based technologies are playing an increasingly important role in environmental remediation. It brings together recent innovations and practices of bio-based technologies for environmental remediation, outlines major bio-based technologies, and discusses biopolymers and biosurfactants for environmental management.

Bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and the technology has been applied successfully to remediate many contaminated sites. The goal of every soil remediation method is to enhance the degradation, transformation, or detoxification of pollutants and to protect, maintain and sustain environmental quality. Advances in our understanding of the ecology of microbial communities capable of breaking down various pollutants and the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which biodegradation occurs have helped us in developing practical soil bioremediation strategies. Chapters dealing with the application of biological methods to soil remediation are contributed from experts – authorities in the area of environmental science including microbiology and molecular biology – from academic institutions and industry.

This book comprises some of the major facts and solutions on environmental studies and its importance on the ecosystem. Implementations of Biotechnology on wastewater treatment and removal of toxins from the wastewater have been thoroughly discussed in different chapters with its impacts on the ecosystem. State of art technologies related to the water treatment as well as balancing of various essential components of the ecosystem has also been demonstrated with various technical solutions. Impacts of various toxins, mainly chemical wastes produced by various industries have been precisely identified and there impacts with various solutions are also discussed. This book is also a collection of various ideas and thoughts coming from reputed scientists and researchers working in this field with modernized technological views. A special emphasis has been given to protect and balance our ecosystem to save the entire living beings. Authors have also tried to make a bridge between bioremediation and ecosystem to bring these in a common platform for better understanding and solution of various critical problems with the help of cutting edge technologies. In this particular aspect or research, the novelty of the book is unparallel to show various future opportunities for the researchers, academicians, industrial personnel working in this field.