Sommari in inglese, francese e tedesco.

The introduction of microorganisms with specific degradative capacities into the soil was shown to be a possible means of ridding the soil of contaminating chemicals. An investigation of the interactions of soil microorganisms and several groups of herbicidal compounds, primarily chlorinated derivatives, was made. In pure culture and in soils the addition of 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) had little effect upon bacterial growth, and several microorganisms appeared to use the herbicide as a carbon source. The encouragement of the soil microflora by the addition of nutrient broths resulted in a reduction of toxicity to plants of a number of herbicides. Isopropyl N-phenylcarbamate (IPC) degrading organisms, when added to soil, accelerated the degradation of IPC and related compounds. A membrane 'biologicalilter' device for reducing waterborne biodegradable pollutants was also demonstrated using these organisms.

Pesticide-clay-water interactions; Pesticide organic matter interactions; Movement of pesticides in soil; Movement of pesticides in surface water; Volatilization of pesticides; nonbiological degradation of pesticides; Degradation of pesticides by soil microorganisms; Persistence of pesticides in soil; Effects of soil on the biological activity of pesticides; Plant uptake of insecticides, fungicides, and fumigants from soils; Effects of pesticides on microorganisms in soil and water; Effects of pesticides on nontarget invertebrates in freshwater and soil; Prevention and detoxification of pesticide residues in soil; Removal of organic pesticides from water to improve quality; Extraction and analytical techniques for pesticides in soil, sediment, and water.

Explores the role of biochemical processes in the soil environment, particularly the activity of microorganisms, and the potential application of those processes to environmental biotechnology. The 11 papers also highlight the application of molecular biology and microbial genetics to soil biology a

The introduction of microorganisms with specific degradative capacities into the soil was shown to be a possible means of ridding the soil of contaminating chemicals. An investigation of the interactions of soil microorganisms and several groups of herbicidal compounds, primarily chlorinated derivatives, was made. In pure culture and in soils the addition of 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) had little effect upon bacterial growth, and several microorganisms appeared to use the herbicide as a carbon source. The encouragement of the soil microflora by the addition of nutrient broths resulted in a reduction of toxicity to plants of a number of herbicides. Isopropyl N-phenylcarbamate (IPC) degrading organisms, when added to soil, accelerated the degradation of IPC and related compounds. A membrane 'biologicalilter' device for reducing waterborne biodegradable pollutants was also demonstrated using these organisms.