Soil enzymes play a fundamental role in many soil processes such as the mineralization of organic matter, the synthesis of humic substances, the degradation of xenobiotics or the mechanisms involved in the biocontrol of plant pathogens. Their direct link with soil microorganisms gives them a key role as biomonitors of the evolution of soil quality or in the monitoring of the application of organic amendments to degraded soils. As a consequence of the importance of soil enzymes on soil processes, there is an increasing interest in their study, as well as in the application of molecular techniques as diagnostic tools.

Taking a sustainable approach, this volume explores the various soil management techniques. It begins with an overview of the elementary concepts of soil management and then delves into new research and novel soil management tools and techniques. Topics include: • Clays as a critical component in sustainable agriculture with respect to carbon sequestration in conjunction with its interaction with soil enzymes • The potential utilization of microbes to mitigate crop stress • Resource conservation technologies and prospective carbon management strategies • The use of smart tools for monitoring soils • Effective nutrient management approaches • Nanotechnological interventions for soil management • Techniques for the remediation of soils contaminated by metals and pesticides

Agricultural biocatalysis is of immense scientific interest nowadays owing to its increasing importance in the efforts for more sustainable agriculture while optimizing environmental impacts. Plant compatibility is essential for developing eco-friendly and sustainable microbial products. Therefore, our search for novel technologies ought to be in the foreground, for which a thorough understanding of biochemical processes, application of agricultural enzymes, traits, and viruses get the highest priority. Volumes 8 to 10 in this series compile the recent research on agricultural biocatalysis by interdisciplinary teams from international institutes for chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and materials and chemical engineering, who have been investigating agricultural-biocatalytic topics related to biochemical conversions or bioremediation, and modern biological and chemical applications exemplified by the use of selected and highly innovative agricultural enzymes, traits, and viruses. The editors are prominent researchers in agrochemistry and theoretical biophysical chemistry, and these three volumes are useful references for the students and researchers in the fields of agrochemistry, biochemistry, biology, biophysical chemistry, natural product chemistry, materials, and drug design. Volume 9 covers the research on plant and soil enzymes, herbicide tolerant traits, biochemical conversions, including aspects from bioremediation, plant viruses, and evaluation of the agricultural enzymes market.

Michael Lebuhn, Stefan Weiß, Bernhard Munk, Georg M. Guebitz Microbiology and Molecular Biology Tools for Biogas Process Analysis, Diagnosis and Control Veronika Dollhofer, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Tony Martin Callaghan, Gareth Wyn Griffith & Katerina Fliegerová Anaerobic Fungi and their Potential for Biogas Production Bianca Fröschle, Monika Heiermann, Michael Lebuhn, Ute Messelhäusser, Matthias Plöchl Hygiene and Sanitation in Biogas Plants Charles-David Dubé and Serge R. Guiot Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer in Anaerobic Digestion: A Review Simon K.-M. R. Rittmann A Critical Assessment of Microbiological Biogas to Biomethane Upgrading Systems Manfred Lübken, Pascal Kosse, Konrad Koch, Tito Gehring, Marc Wichern Influent Fractionation for Modeling Continuous Anaerobic Digestion Processes Fermoso, F. G, van Hullebusch, E. D, Guibaud, G, Collins, G, Svensson, B. H, Carliell-Marquet, C, Vink, J.P.M, Esposito, G, Frunzo, L Fate of Trace Metals in Anaerobic Digestion

This reference book provides updated information about the technological advancement in sustainable thermochemical bioprocessing of sewage sludge disposal and resource recovery. It discusses the innovative strategies of resource recovery for the formulation of feedstock, clean compost production and safe application. This book traces the main chemical and biological properties of sewage sludge and covers biostabilization, detoxification, the role of microorganisms in sewage sludge management and the sustainable use of sewage sludge from a circular economy perspective. Key Features • Discusses organic waste disposal and recycling • Covers knowledge transfer from waste bioprocessing to commercially important end products • Includes industrial application of biological and thermochemical sewage sludge treatment toward emerging nutrient recovery technologies • Reviews the function and applications of microorganisms in sewage sludge treatment • Describes the application of sewage sludge as fertilizers in agriculture This book is meant for researchers and industry experts in environmental sciences, biochemical engineering and biotechnology.

Metagenomics to Bioremediation: Applications, Cutting Edge Tools, and Future Outlook provides detailed insight into metagenomics approaches to bioremediation in a comprehensive manner, thus enabling the analysis of microbial behavior at a community level under different environmental stresses during degradation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. The book summarizes each and all aspects of metagenomics applications to bioremediation, helping readers overcome the lack of updated information on advancement in microbial ecology dealing with pollution abatement. Users will find insight not only on the fundamentals of metagenomics and bioremediation, but also on recent trends and future expectations. This book will appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds in biology, chemistry and life sciences. - Reviews recently developed metagenomics approaches/strategies/ technologies to solve five major trends in environmental clean-up, including nutrient removal and resource recovery, organometallic compounds detoxification, energy-saving and production, sustainability and community involvement - Compiles authoritative information on recent advances in microbial biotechnological approaches, including the latest descriptions of the relationship between microbes and the environment - Describes the knowledge gaps and future directions in the field of bioremediation of environmental contaminants - Covers underlying microbial mechanisms with metabolic pathways for degradation and detoxification of emerging organic and inorganic contaminants discharged in environment

Groundwater theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Water Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of lithologic formations. This theme presents a perspective of the field of groundwater and an overview of the important aspects of the subject such as, natural origin and distribution, characteristics under diverse climates and surrounding rocky environments, exploration and management, natural quality and human related sources of contamination, sustainable exploitation of resources, protection and current research trends. The content of the theme on Groundwater is organized with state-of-the-art presentations covering several topics: Origin, Distribution, Formation, and Effects; Typical Hydrogeological Scenarios; Transport Processes in Groundwater; Transport Phenomena and Vulnerability of the Unsaturated Zone; Groundwater Development; Groundwater Use and Protection; Groundwater Management: An Overview of Hydro-geology, Economic Values and Principles of Management; Special Issues in Groundwater, which are then expanded into multiple subtopics, each as a chapter. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, Managers, and Decision makers and NGOs