This Encyclopedia of Agrophysics will provide up-to-date information on the physical properties and processes affecting the quality of the environment and plant production. It will be a "first-up" volume which will nicely complement the recently published Encyclopedia of Soil Science, (November 2007) which was published in the same series. In a single authoritative volume a collection of about 250 informative articles and ca 400 glossary terms covering all aspects of agrophysics will be presented. The authors will be renowned specialists in various aspects in agrophysics from a wide variety of countries. Agrophysics is important both for research and practical use not only in agriculture, but also in areas like environmental science, land reclamation, food processing etc. Agrophysics is a relatively new interdisciplinary field closely related to Agrochemistry, Agrobiology, Agroclimatology and Agroecology. Nowadays it has been fully accepted as an agricultural and environmental discipline. As such this Encyclopedia volume will be an indispensable working tool for scientists and practitioners from different disciplines, like agriculture, soil science, geosciences, environmental science, geography, and engineering.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION INNOVATIONS Presenting the latest technologies and practices in this ever-changing field, this groundbreaking new volume covers the gambit for providing solutions and practical applications of smart and efficient energy systems. The global and climate changes we are witnessing are primarily driven by factors such as rising population, economic growth, and industrialization. These changes have led to an increase in atmospheric CO2, pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, and hunger, among other pressing issues. To ensure a green and sustainable future, it is crucial to harness renewable resources for the production of fuels, chemicals, and materials. The book, Sustainable Production Innovations, addresses several bioprocesses that are integral to our daily lives, tackling important topics such as biofuel production, energy and food security, and wastewater management. The commercial interest in biotechnological processes has grown significantly due to their ability to utilize biocatalysts such as enzymes, bacteria, plant cells, or animal cells in bioreactors for the production of medications, health supplements, foods, biofuels, and chemicals. Switching to bioproducts offers key benefits such as the sustainability of third-generation biofuels, CO2 sequestration, effective waste utilization, and meeting the increasing demand for clean water. The book explores various procedures used in biomass biorefineries and bioprocessing for the production of biofuels, biobased chemicals, and bioproducts. It also delves into advancements in utilizing oleaginous microorganisms for biofuels and nutraceuticals, biological wastewater treatment, and microplastic detection techniques in water. Additionally, the book covers topics such as biolubricant technologies, bioprocessing of agricultural and forest waste, biotechnological approaches in the cosmetic industry, and large-scale applications of nanomaterials for water treatment. Authored by experts from leading biotechnology research groups around the world, the book comprises 13 chapters featuring the latest research in each subject. It is a valuable resource for scholars in chemical engineering, applied microbiology, biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, and related fields, offering new insights into the sustainable use of renewable energy and biochemicals. Professionals, including biochemical engineers, phycologists, bioprocess engineers, chemical engineers, scientists, and researchers in the water, food, pharmaceutical, and renewable energy industries will find this book beneficial. Likewise, students and faculty in the chemical engineering and energy departments will gain valuable knowledge from its contents.

This book summarises the main results of many contributions from researchers worldwide who have used the water infiltration process to characterize soil in the field. Determining soil hydrodynamic properties is essential to interpret and simulate the hydrological processes of economic and environmental interest. This book can be used as a guide to soil hydraulic characterization and in addition it gives a complete description of the treated techniques, including an outline of the most significant research results, with the main points that still needing development and improvement.

Climate change not only involves rising temperatures but it can also alter the hydro-meteorological parameters of a region and the corresponding changes emerging in the various biotic or abiotic environmental features. One of the results of climate change has been the impact on the sediment yield and its transport. These changes have implications for various other environmental components, particularly soils, water bodies, water quality, land productivity, sedimentation processes, glacier dynamics, and risk management strategies to name a few. This volume presents a diverse collection of case studies from researchers across the globe examining the impacts of climate change on river basin management in various geographical, hydrological, and socioeconomic contexts. The case studies yield important insights that can inform strategies to build resilience and adapt river basins to a changing climate.