Microbial Ecology of Wastewater Treatment Plants presents different methods and techniques used in microbial ecology to study the interactions and evolution of microbial populations in WWTPs, particularly the new molecular tools developed in the last decades. These molecular biology-based methods (e.g. studies of DNA, RNA and proteins) provide a high resolution of information compared to traditional ways of studying microbial wastewater populations, such as microscopic examination and culture-based methods. In addition, this book addresses the ability of microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants. - Describes application of different Omics tools in Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) - Demonstrates the role of microorganisms in WWTPs - Includes discussions on the microbial ecology of WWTPs - Covers the microbial diversity of activated sludge - Emphasizes cutting-edge molecular tools

Microbial Wastewater Treatment focuses on the exploitation of microorganisms as decontaminating tools to treat polluted wastewater, a worldwide concern. Microorganism-based processes are seen as promising technologies to treat the ever-increasing problem of polluted wastewater. The book covers recently developed process technologies to solve five major trends in the field of wastewater treatment, including nutrient removal and recovery, trace organic compounds, energy saving and production, sustainability and community involvement. - Illustrates the importance of microorganisms in wastewater treatment - Points out the reuse of the treated wastewater - Highlights the recovery of resources from wastewater - Pays attention to the occurrence of novel micro-pollutants - Introduces new trends in wastewater technology

Many physico-chemical and operational factors influence the performance, treatment costs and long-term stability of biofilters for the treatment of wastewater. An Innovative Role of Biofiltration in Wastewater Treatment Plants focuses on identifying the factors that affect biofiltration, such as the hydraulic retention time of the biofiltration system, the type and characteristics of the filter and the attached biomass, explains their influence and provides guidelines on how to control these factors to optimize better operation with respect to pollutant control present in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The fundamental basis of treatment in biofilters is the action of pollutant-degrading microorganisms and consequently the book also discusses in depth about the microbial ecology of biofiltration. In addition, it explores the applications of biofiltration including the removal of emerging pollutants. Describes the microbial ecology of biofiltration Includes modeling of biofiltration Describes the designing of biofilters, start-up, and monitoring Discusses the mechanism of biofiltration Describes the controlling and operational factors of biofiltration

Microbial Ecology of Activated Sludge, written for both microbiologists and engineers, critically reviews our current understanding of the microbiology of activated sludge, the most commonly used process for treating both domestic and industrial wastes. The contributors are all internationally recognized as leading research workers in activated sludge microbiology, and all have made valuable contributions to our present understanding of the process. The book pays particular attention to how the application of molecular methods has changed our perceptions of the identity of the filamentous bacteria causing the operational disorders of bulking and foaming, and the bacteria responsible for nitrification and denitrification and phosphorus accumulation in nutrient removal processes. Special attention is given to how it is now becoming possible to relate the composition of the community of microbes present in activated sludge, and the in situ function of individual populations there, and how such information might be used to manage and control these systems better. Detailed descriptions of some of these molecular methods are provided to allow newcomers to this field of study an opportunity to apply them in their research. Comprehensive descriptions of organisms of interest and importance are also given, together with high quality photos of activated sludge microbes. Activated sludge processes have been used globally for nearly 100 years, and yet we still know very little of how they work. In the past 15 years the advent of molecular culture independent methods of study have provided tools enabling microbiologists to understand which organisms are present in activated sludge, and critically, what they might be doing there. Microbial Ecology of Activated Sludge will be the first book available to deal comprehensively with the very exciting new information from applying these methods, and their impact on how we now view microbiologically mediated processes taking place there. As such it will be essential reading for microbial ecologists, environmental biotechnologists and engineers involved in designing and managing these plants. It will also be suitable for postgraduate students working in this field.

Wastewater Treatment: Cutting-Edge Molecular Tools, Techniques and Applied Aspects reports new findings in existing molecular biology strategies, including their limitations, challenges and potential application to remove environmental pollutants through advancements made in cutting edge tools. In addition, the book introduces new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation with thorough discussions on recent developments in this field. - Describes the application of different omics tools in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) - Describes the role of microorganisms in WWTPs - Points out the reuse of treated wastewater through emerging technologies - Includes the recovery of resources from wastewater - Emphasizes the need for the use of cutting-edge molecular tools

A practical guide to wastewater bacteria and the roles they perform in wastewater treatment Communicating material in a practical manner for operators and technicians who regulate and troubleshoot their wastewater treatment processes, Wastewater Bacteria discusses the effective control and proper operation of aerobic (activated sludge) and anaerobic (anaerobic digesters) biological treatment units to ensure that an adequate, active, and appropriate population of bacteria is present in each treatment unit. It is a hands-on guide to understanding the biology and biological conditions that occur at each treatment unit. Avoiding unnecessary technical jargon and chemical equations, Wastewater Bacteria, the fifth book in the Wastewater Microbiology Series, explores and explains: * Bacteria and the wastewater environment * Enzymes and sludge production * Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur bacteria * Floc formation and filamentous organisms * Nitrification and denitrification * Sulfate reduction, fermentation, and methane production * Toxicity * Foam and malodor production The goal of Wastewater Bacteria is to enable plant operators to achieve the twofold basic objectives of wastewater treatment-to degrade organic wastes to a level where a significant, dissolved oxygen demand is not exerted upon receiving waters and to remove nutrients to levels where photosynthetic organisms in receiving waters are limited in their growth. This straightforward manual equips plant technicians to meet these objectives with essential information to understand the biological processes and organisms involved in wastewater treatment.

Wastewater Treatment Reactors: Microbial Community Structure analyzes microbial community structure in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, the gene content (metagenome) or gene expression (metatranscriptome) of microbial communities in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, physiological aspects of microbial communities, enrichment cultures or pure cultures of key species in relation to changes in physico-chemical parameters, and modeling of potential consequences of changes in microbial community structure or function for higher trophic levels in a given habitat. As several studies have been carried out to understand bulking phenomena and the importance of environmental factors on sludge settling characteristics, which are thought to be strongly influenced by flocculation, sludge bulking, foaming and rising, this book is an ideal resource on the topics covered. Presents the state-of-the-art techniques and applications of omics tools in wastewater treatment reactors (WWTRs) Describes both theoretical and practical knowledge surrounding the fundamental roles of microorganisms in WWTRs Points out the reuse of treated wastewater through emerging technologies Covers the economics of wastewater treatment and the development of suitable alternatives in terms of performance and cost effectiveness Discusses cutting-edge molecular biological tools Gives in-depth knowledge to study microbial community structure and function in wastewater treatment reactors

Removal of Toxic Pollutants through Microbiological and Tertiary Treatment: New Perspectives offers a current account of existing advanced oxidation strategies - including their limitations, challenges, and potential applications - in removing environmental pollutants through microbiological and tertiary treatment methods. The book introduces new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation technology, with thorough discussion of recent developments in the field. Updated information as well as future research directions in the field of bioremediation of industrial wastes is included. This book is an indispensable guide to students, researchers, scientists, and professionals working in fields such as microbiology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, eco-toxicology, and environmental remediation. The book also serves as a helpful guide for waste management professionals and those working on the biodegradation and bioremediation of industrial wastes and environmental pollutants for environmental sustainability. - Introduces various treatment schemes, including microbiological and tertiary technologies for bioremediation of environmental pollutants and industrial wastes - Includes pharmaceutical wastewater, oil refinery wastewater, distillery wastewater, tannery wastewater, textile wastewater, mine tailing wastes, plastic wastes, and more - Describes the role of relatively new treatment technologies and their approaches in bioremediation, including molecular and protein engineering technologies, microbial enzymes, bio surfactants, plant-microbe interactions, and genetically engineered organisms - Provides many advanced technologies in the field of bioremediation and phytoremediation, including electro-bioremediation technology, microbial fuel cell technology, nano-bioremediation technology, and phytotechnologies

The central theme of the book is the flow of information from experimental approaches in biofilm research to simulation and modeling of complex wastewater systems. Probably the greatest challenge in wastewater research lies in using the methods and the results obtained in one scientific discipline to design intelligent experiments in other disciplines, and eventually to improve the knowledge base the practitioner needs to run wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment is to provide engineers with the knowledge needed to apply the new insights gained by researchers. The authors provide an authoritative insight into the function of biofilms on a technical and on a lab-scale, cover some of the exciting new basic microbiological and wastewater engineering research involving molecular biology techniques and microscopy, and discuss recent attempts to predict the development of biofilms. This book is divided into 3 sections: Modeling and Simulation; Architecture, Population Structure and Function; and From Fundamentals to Practical Application, which all start with a scientific question. Individual chapters attempt to answer the question and present different angles of looking at problems. In addition there is an extensive glossary to familiarize the non-expert with unfamiliar terminology used by microbiologists and computational scientists. The colour plate section of this book can be downloaded by clicking here. (PDF Format 1 MB)

The abundance of organic pollutants found in wastewater affect urban surface waters. Traditional wastewater management technologies focus on the removal of suspended solids, nutrients and bacteria, however, new pollutants such as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals are often not monitored in the environment despite having the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects. Collectively referred to as "emerging contaminants," they are mostly derived from domestic activities and occur in trace concentrations ranging from pico to micrograms per liter. Environmental contaminants are resistant to conventional wastewater treatment processes and most of them remain unaffected, causing contamination of receiving water. This in turn leads to the need for advanced wastewater treatment processes capable of removing environmental contaminants to ensure safe fresh water sources. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the current bioremediation strategies, including their limitations, challenges and their potential application to remove environmental pollutants. It also introduces the latest trends and advances in environmental bioremediation, and presents the state-of-the-art in biological and chemical wastewater treatment processes. As such, it will appeal to researchers and policy-makers, as well as undergraduate and graduate environmental sciences students.