Due to the rapid increase in world population and improving living standards, the global agriculture sector is confronting with challenges for the sustainability of agricultural production and of the environment. Intensive high-yield agriculture is typically dependent on addition of fertilizers (synthetic chemicals, animal manure, etc.). However, non-point nutrient losses from agricultural fields due to fertilization could adversely impact the environment. Increased knowledge on plant nutrient chemistry is required for improving utilization efficiency and minimizing loses from both inorganic and organic nutrient sources. For this purpose, the book is composed of 19 chapters that highlight recent research activities in applied nutrient chemistry geared toward sustainable agriculture and environment. Topics of interest include, but are not limited, to speciation, quantification, and interactions of various plant nutrients and relevant contributories in manure, soil, and plants. This book outlooks emerging researchable issues on alternative utilization and environmental monitoring of manure and other agricultural by products that may stimulate new research ideas and direction in the relevant fields.

The majority of meat, milk, and eggs consumed in the United States are produced in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). With concentrated animal operations, in turn comes concentrated manure accumulation, which can pose a threat of contamination of air, soil, and water if improperly managed. Animal Manure: Production, Characteristics, Environmental Concerns, and Management navigates these important environmental concerns while detailing opportunities for environmentally and economically beneficial utilization.

Animal manure is traditionally regarded as a valuable resource of plant nutrients. However, there is an increasing environmental concern associated with animal manure utilization due to high and locally concentrated volumes of manure produced in modern intensified animal production. Although considerable research has been conducted on environmental impacts and best management practices, the environmental chemistry of animal manure has not developed accordingly. This book analyses the basic knowledge and latest research on the environmental chemistry of animal manure.

This book is dedicated to the reuse of waste and residues from the agricultural sector. Plant residues, as well as animal manure and residues from animal breeding, contain useful elements that can be processed for production of fertilizers, compost for soil recultivation, and biofuels. The emerging energy and resources crisis calls for development of sustainable reuse of waste and residues. This book contains eight chapters divided into four sections. The first section contains the introductory chapter from the editor. The second section is related to the preparation of fertilizers and compost for soil amelioration from agricultural residues and waste water. The third section considers the use of agricultural waste for solid biofuels and biogas. The fourth section discusses sustainability and risk assessment related to the use of agricultural waste and residues.

"Because of its dynamic nature, labile organic matter is a key player in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Editors Zhongqi He and Fengchang Wu include contributions from more than 30 senior researchers and innovative junior investigators from six countries. With issue-oriented comprehensive reviews and problem-solving case studies, this collection brings together soil and aquatic scientists to provide a comprehensive understanding for managing the sources and fates of labile organic matter. A timely synthesis of recent research, this collection illustrates the remarkable range of advanced techniques and approaches for labile organic matter research. This book will serve as a valuable reference for university faculty, graduate students, soil scientists, ecologists, limnologists, marine scientists, environmental scientists, agricultural engineers, and any who work with various aspects of labile organic matter in the environment."

The valuable characteristics of animal waste materials in terms of climatic change impact and bioenergy production are discussed in this book. Reutilization of such wastes for bioenergy harvest is the prime focus; the great need for future animal waste recycling is also depicted. Major topics discussed are types of livestock waste – poultry and dairy, methods and management of waste utilization and storage, application of animal waste in bioenergy production, economics of waste utilization, novel disposable techniques, circular bioeconomy, pollution, and water quality. Furthermore, utilization of animal waste for resource conservation and environmental protection is discussed, such as potential materials for green biochemicals. Resource recovery can, therefore, forestall the shortage of natural resources and, at the same time, can greatly reduce waste-disposal problems and energy crises. Many alternatives to waste disposal, either currently available or under study, focus on the recovery of material or energy. In a world of diminishing resources and increasing needs, each opportunity for the recycling of animal waste materials has been examined. This book significantly contributes toward climate change mitigation through better environmental solutions. A better understanding of animal waste recycling to mitigate climate changes has been portrayed in order to generate discussions among researchers and administrators. Environmental implications of animal waste are of prime importance in climate change scenario. Such wastes also harbor zoonotic pathogens that are transported in the environment. Finally, it has been tried out to collect ideas and experience in multiple aspects of animal waste management for climate change mitigation and bioenergy harvest.

Agricultural and Environmental Applications of Biochar: Advances and Barriers: Over the past decade, biochar has been intensively studied by agricultural and environmental scientists and applied as a soil quality enhancer and environmental ameliorator in various trials worldwide. This book, with 21 chapters by 57 accomplished international researchers, reports on the recent advances of biochar research and the global status of biochar application. Scientific findings, uncertainties, and barriers to practice of biochar amendment for sustaining soil fertility, improving crop production, promoting animal performance, remediating water and land, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions are synthesized. The book presents a whole picture of biochar in its production, characterization, application, and development. Agricultural and Environmental Applications of Biochar: Advances and Barrier highlights the mechanisms and processes of biochar amendment for achieving stunning agricultural and environmental benefits. Composition and characteristics of biochar, its interactions with contaminants and soil constituents, and its transformation in the environment are illustrated to enlighten the achievements of biochar amendment in improving soil physical, chemical, and biological quality and animal health, reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions, and decontaminating stormwater and mine sites. Additional emphasis is given to the pyrogenic carbon in Terra Preta soils and Japanese Andosols, the pyrolysis technology for converting agricultural byproducts to biochar, and the existing economic and technical barriers to wide application of biochar in Australia, China, New Zealand, North America, and Europe. Readers will appreciate the comprehensive review on the up-to-date biochar research and application and gain critical guidance in best biochar generation and utilization.

This volume captures the impact of women’s research on the public health and environmental engineering profession. The volume is written as a scholarly text to demonstrate that women compete successfully in the field, dating back to 1873. Each authors’ chapter includes a section on her contribution to the field and a biography written for a general audience. This volume also includes a significant representation of early women’s contributions, highlighting their rich history in the profession. The book covers topics such as drinking water and health, biologically-active compounds, wastewater management, and biofilms. This volume should be of interest to academics, researchers, consulting engineering offices, and engineering societies while also inspiring young women to persist in STEM studies and aspire to academic careers. Features a blend of innovations and contributions made by women in water quality engineering, as well as their path to success, including challenges in their journeys Presents an opportunity to learn about the breadth and depth of the field of water quality Includes a history of women in water quality engineering as well as research in current issues such as urban water quality, biologically-active compounds, and biofilms

Extracellular Enzymes in Environments: Responses to Collaborative Remediation of Contaminated Soil and Groundwater provides an overview of the functions, activities, and analysis methods of enzymes in soil and water environments. In addition, the response of enzymes to environmental changes (e.g., contamination, remediation, climate change, fertilization) is also summarized based on experimental results. Spatial and temporal distribution of enzyme activities is assessed using in-situ zymography. Furthermore, variation of enzyme activities in hotspots (i.e., rhizosphere, detritusphere) and controlling factors are also summarized. - Provides detailed information on the in-situ zymography technique, which can visualize enzyme activities in soil and water environments - Quantifies distribution of enzyme activities in response to nano-metal oxides contamination and use of enzymes to evaluate remediating effect of various carbon-based biomass materials on heavy metal contamination - Covers the responses of enzymes to environmental changes (e.g., contamination, remediation, climate change, and fertilization) are summarized

This book summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding antibiotics and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in the soil environment. It covers a wide range of topics to help readers understand antibiotics and ARGs in soils, the risks they pose for the environment, and options for effective control. In addition, it presents a range of essential tools and methodologies that can be used to address antibiotics and ARGs in a consistent, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Gathering contributions by international experts, the book addresses both theoretical aspects and practical applications.The topics discussed include antibiotics-producing microorganisms; the routes of entry and fate of antibiotics and resistance genes; biomonitoring approaches; dissemination of ARGs in soils; risk assessment; the impact of antibiotics and ARGs on the soil microbial community and other biota; bioremediation and biodegradation approaches; and soil management strategies for antibiotics and ARG-contaminated soils.As such, the book will be of interest to students, researchers and scholars in environmental science and engineering, toxicology, the medical and pharmaceutical sciences, environmental biotechnology, soil sciences, microbial ecology and plant biotechnology. Readers and Journals: 1. This new volume on antibiotics and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in the soil environment will be of interest to students, researchers and scholars in environmental science and engineering, toxicology, the medical and pharmaceutical sciences, environmental biotechnology, soil sciences,microbial ecology and plant biotechnology. 2. The book will provide government authorities all over the world with effective strategies for the management of antibiotics and antibiotics resistance genes (ARG)- contaminated soil. 3. Gathering contributions by international experts,the book addresses both theoretical aspects and practical applications.