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.

The huge expansion of the chemical and petroleum industries in the twentieth century has resulted in the production of a vast array of chem ical compounds and materials that have transformed our lives. The associated large-scale manufacturing, processing and handling activi ties have caused a serious deterioration in environmental quality and created threats to human health. These negative impacts have led to responses and regulations requiring remedial action in support of envi ronmental sustainability. of biotechnological methods through bioremediation, Application has gained prominence as an option for soil remediation methods. Bioremediation is a multidisciplinary approach where biologists, chem ists, soil scientists and engineers work as team to develop and imple ment remediation processes. Bioremediation has now been used successfully to remediate many petroleum-contaminated sites. However, there are as yet no commercial technologies commonly used to reme diate the most recalcitrant contaminants. Nevertheless, bioremediation is a rapidly advancing field and new bio-based remedial technologies are continuing to emerge.

Pollution and ways to combat it have become topics of great concern for researchers. One of the most important dimensions of this global crisis is wastewater, which can often become contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which are released from different industrial wastes, mines, and agricultural runoff. Bioremediation of such heavy metals has been extensively studied using different groups of bacteria, fungi, and algae, and has been considered as a safer, eco-friendly, and cost-effective option for mitigation of contaminated wasteland. The toxicity of water impacts all of society, and so it is of great importance that we understand the better, cleaner, and more efficient ways of treating water. Recent Advancements in Bioremediation of Metal Contaminants is a pivotal reference source that explores bioremediation of pollutants from industrial wastes and examines the role of diverse forms of microbes in bioremediation of wastewater. Covering a broad range of topics including microorganism tolerance, phytoremediation, and fungi, the role of different extremophiles and biofilms in bioremediation are also discussed. This book is ideally designed for environmentalists, engineers, policymakers, academicians, researchers, and students in the fields of microbiology, toxicology, environmental chemistry, and soil and water science.

Due to increased urbanization and industrialization, various types of waste materials are produced, in which most of them are classified as hazardous. Many of these hazardous compounds are triggering environmental pollution and act as threats to public health. The conventional treatment methods have many drawbacks. However, bioremediation is the process of biodegradation in which biological means are used to degrade harmful materials under controlled conditions. Bioremediation could provide an efficient solution for a pollution-free environment. This book comprises fourteen chapters that include scientific progress and recent technologies in biodegradation. Hopefully, this book will be useful for environmentalists, scientists and academics along with graduate and postgraduate students studying the research and practice of bioremediation. It will also provide useful information for experts in ecology, enzymology, environmental microbiology and biotechnology.

The pollution of soil and groundwater by heavy metals and other chemicals is becoming a serious issue in many countries. However, the current bioremediation processes do not often achieve sufficient remediation, and more effective processes are desired. This book deals with advances in the bioremediation of polluted soil and groundwater. In the former chapters of this book, respected researchers in this field describe how the optimization of microorganisms, enzymes, absorbents, additives and injection procedures can help to realize excellent bioremediation. In the latter chapters, other researchers introduce bioremediation processes that have been performed in the field and novel bioremediation processes. Thus, the readers will be able to obtain new ideas about effective bioremediation as well as important information about recent advances in bioremediation.

Microbial Biodegradation and Bioremediation brings together experts in relevant fields to describe the successful application of microbes and their derivatives for bioremediation of potentially toxic and relatively novel compounds. This single-source reference encompasses all categories of pollutants and their applications in a convenient, comprehensive package. Our natural biodiversity and environment is in danger due to the release of continuously emerging potential pollutants by anthropogenic activities. Though many attempts have been made to eradicate and remediate these noxious elements, every day thousands of xenobiotics of relatively new entities emerge, thus worsening the situation. Primitive microorganisms are highly adaptable to toxic environments, and can reduce the load of toxic elements by their successful transformation and remediation. - Describes many novel approaches of microbial bioremediation including genetic engineering, metagenomics, microbial fuel cell technology, biosurfactants and biofilm-based bioremediation - Introduces relatively new hazardous elements and their bioremediation practices including oil spills, military waste water, greenhouse gases, polythene wastes, and more - Provides the most advanced techniques in the field of bioremediation, including insilico approach, microbes as pollution indicators, use of bioreactors, techniques of pollution monitoring, and more

The pollution of soil and groundwater by harmful chemical compounds and heavy metals is becoming very serious in many countries. Although remediation is necessary as soon as possible, the performance of conventional bioremediation processes is not sufficient. This book deals with advances in bioremediation and phytoremediation processes by using excellent strains and a combination of processes. In the chapters of this book, the researchers have introduced the overall status of contamination; the characteristics of bioremediation using halobacteria, Candida yeast, and autochthonous bacteria; and phytoremediation using macrophytes. Moreover, other researchers introduced a process using biochar and electric currents, and this combination of processes and phytoremediation enhances the overall process.

Synergistic Approaches for Bioremediation of Environmental Pollutants: Recent Advances and Challenges focuses on the exploitation of various biological treatment technologies and their use to treat toxic contaminants present in industrial effluent and in restoring contaminated sites, which lacks in a more comprehensive manner in existing titles on similar topics available on the global market. The book comprises advanced biotechnologies and updated information, along with sustainable waste management developments and future directions for researchers and scientists working in the field of microbiology. Provides wide information to readers on the state-of-the-art in the application of biochar, microbes, and their synergistic use for wastewater/industrial effluent treatment and environment protection Summarizes current knowledge on the use of biochar and microbes, even dead biomass, for dye decolorization, degradation and removal of heavy metals which may play a key role in achieving a more productive and sustainable environment Explores different aspects of biological methods for contaminants removal for better insights into basic and advanced biotechnological applications Includes supplemented tables and figures

In situ bioremediationâ€"the use of microorganisms for on-site removal of contaminantsâ€"is potentially cheaper, faster, and safer than conventional cleanup methods. But in situ bioremediation is also clouded in uncertainty, controversy, and mistrust. This volume from the National Research Council provides direction for decisionmakers and offers detailed and readable explanations of: the processes involved in in situ bioremediation, circumstances in which it is best used, and methods of measurement, field testing, and modeling to evaluate the results of bioremediation projects. Bioremediation experts representing academic research, field practice, regulation, and industry provide accessible information and case examples; they explore how in situ bioremediation works, how it has developed since its first commercial use in 1972, and what research and education efforts are recommended for the future. The volume includes a series of perspective papers. The book will be immediately useful to policymakers, regulators, bioremediation practitioners and purchasers, environmental groups, concerned citizens, faculty, and students.