Heavy-metal contamination is one of the world's major environmental problems, posing significant risks to agro-ecosystems. Conventional technologies employed for heavy-metal remediation have often been expensive and disruptive. This book provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art coverage of the natural, sustainable alternatives that use a wide range of biological materials in the removal/detoxification of heavy metals, consequently leading to the improvement of crops in these soils. Novel, environmentally friendly and inexpensive solutions are presented based on a sound understanding of metal contamination and the roles of plants and microbes in the management of these toxic soils. Written by worldwide experts, the book provides not only the necessary scientific background but also addresses the challenging questions that require special attention in order to better understand metal toxicity in soils and its management through bioremediation.

Following a description of the various sources and factors influencing the contents of heavy metal pollution in post-catastrophic and agricultural soils, subsequent chapters examine soil enzymes and eggs as bio-monitors, lead adsorption, the effects of arsenic on microbial diversity, and the effects of Mediterranean grasslands on abandoned mines. A third section focuses on the adaptation strategies used by plants and bacteria, such as Pinus sylvestris in industrial areas, and the rhizosphere in contaminated tropical soils and soil treated with sewage sludge. Further topics addressed include strategies of bioremediation, e.g. using transgenic plants as tools for soil remediation. This new volume on heavy metals in soil will be of interest to researchers and scholars in microbial and plant biotechnology, agriculture, the environmental sciences and soil ecology.

Metals and Metalloids in Soil-Plant-Water Systems: Phytophysiology and Remediation Techniques examines the impact of metal/metalloid contamination on the plant lifecycle, along with microbes present in soil. Highlighting uptake and translocation, the book also examines antioxidant, photosynthesis and growth characteristics of plants grown in metal contaminated soil. Beginning with an introduction to different sources of soil and water pollution, chapters assess the environmental cytotoxicity pollution impact on plants, as well as how the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in plant tissues is affected. The book also discusses various soil remediation methodologies, including the potential applications of metal oxidizing microbes and nanomaterials. This is an essential resource for researchers and students interested in plant physiology, soil science, environmental science and agriculture. - Provides a comprehensive overview of metal and metalloids speciation, fractionation, bioavailability and transfer to plants - Analyzes properties of plants grown with excess metals/metalloids in soils - Highlights applications of biochar and other biostimulants for sustainable metal/metalloid remediation

Presents recent challenges related to new forms of pollution from industries and discusses adequate state-of-the-art technologies capable to remediate such forms of pollution. Over the past few decades the boom in the industrial sector has contributed to the release in the environment of pollutants that have no regulatory status and which may have significant impact on the health of humans and animals. These pollutants also referred to as "emerging pollutants", are mostly aromatic compounds which derive from excretion of pharmaceutical, industrial effluents and municipal discharge. It is recurrent these days to find water treatment plants which no longer produce water that fits the purpose of domestic consumption based on newly established guidelines. This situation has prompted water authorities and researchers to develop tools for proper prediction and control of the dispersion of pollutants in the environment to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent the occurrence of outbreaks due to sudden load of these pollutants in the water system. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of nano and bio-based techniques that have been designed for the real time detection of emerging contaminants in environmental water sources, geochemical models that are continuously improved for the prediction of inorganic contaminants migration from the mine solid wastes into ground and surface waters. Remediation strategies are also discussed and include effective techniques based on nanotechnology, advanced membrane filtration, oxidative and bio-degradation processes using various types of nanocatalysts, biocatalysts or supporting polymer matrices which are under advanced investigations for their implementation at large scale for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants from polluted water. Nano and Bio-Based Technologies for Wastewater Treatment: Prediction and Control Tools for the Dispersion of Pollutants in the Environment is divided is two sections. The first section covers the occurrence of emerging pollutants in environmental water while the second section covers state-of-the-art research on the removal of emerging pollutants from water using sustainable technologies. A total of 13 chapters addressing various topics related to the two sections are essentially based on recent developments in the respective field which could have a significant impact on the enhancement of the performance of wastewater treatment plants around the world, and especially in developing countries where access to clean and safe water remains a daily challenge.

This book covers the most recent advances in all the topics with which researchers and professionals need to be familiar in order to obtain a better understanding of, and to better exploit, beneficial plant-microbe interactions. The use of microorganisms for agriculture and environmental applications is gaining importance worldwide to improve crop performance, but also for other environmental applications, such as bioremediation in chemically polluted soils. The search for an equilibrium between fundamental and applied aspects makes this book useful for professionals at various levels in the value chain of the “microbial biofertilizers”. Challenges of comercializing biofertilizers involve efficiency of the products and safety for human health and the environment, topics that have paid central attention in this book. Students, scientists and biofertilizers developers will find updated and comprehensive information about the different aspects to be considered to address a successful introduction of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture and environmental actions.

Phytoremediation Technology for the Removal of Heavy Metals and Other Contaminants from Soil and Water focuses on the exploitation of plants and their associated microbes as a tool to degrade/detoxify/stabilize toxic and hazardous contaminants and restore the contaminated site. The book introduces various phytoremediation technologies using an array of plants and their associated microbes for environmental cleanup and sustainable development. The book mainly focuses on the remediation of toxic and hazardous environmental contaminants, their phytoremediation mechanisms and strategies, advances and challenges in the current scenario. This book is intended to appeal to students, researchers, scientists and a wide range of professionals responsible for regulating, monitoring and designing industrial waste facilities. Engineering consultants, industrial waste managers and purchasing department managers, government regulators, and graduate students will also find this book invaluable. - Provides natural and eco-friendly solutions to deal with the problem of pollution - Details underlying mechanisms of phytoremediation of organic and inorganic contaminants with enzymatic roles - Describes numerous, successful field studies on the application of phytoremediation for eco-restoration of contaminated sites - Presents recent advances and challenges in phytoremediation research and applications for sustainable development - Provides authoritative contributions on the diverse aspects of phytoremediation by world leading experts

POLLUTANTS AND WATER MANAGEMENT Pollutants and Water Management: Resources, Strategies and Scarcity delivers a balanced and comprehensive look at recent trends in the management of polluted water resources. Covering the latest practical and theoretical aspects of polluted water management, the distinguished academics and authors emphasize indigenous practices of water resource management, the scarcity of clean water, and the future of the water system in the context of an increasing urbanization and globalization. The book details the management of contaminated water sites, including heavy metal contaminations in surface and subsurface water sources. It details a variety of industrial activities that typically pollute water, such as those involving crude oils and dyes. In its discussion of recent trends in abatement strategies, Pollutants and Water Management includes an exploration of the application of microorganisms, like bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and cyanobacteria, for the management of environmental contaminants. Readers will also discover a wide variety of other topics on the conservation of water sources including: The role of government and the public in the management of water resource pollution The causes of river system pollution and potential future scenarios in the abatement of river pollution Microbial degradation of organic pollutants in various water bodies The advancement in membrane technology used in water treatment processes Lead contamination in groundwater and recent trends in abatement strategies for it Highly polluting industries and their effects on surrounding water resources Perfect for graduate and postgraduate students and researchers whose focus is on recent trends in abatement strategies for pollutants and the application of microorganisms for the management of environmental contaminants, Pollutants and Water Management: Resources, Strategies and Scarcity also has a place in the libraries of environmentalists whose work involves the management and conservation of polluted sites.