Microbe Mediated Remediation of Environmental Contaminants presents recent scientific progress in applying microbes for environmental management. The book explores the current existing practical applications and provides information to help readers develop new practices and applications. Edited by recognized leaders in the field, this penetrating assessment of our progress to date in deploying microorganisms to the advantage of environmental management and biotechnology will be widely welcomed by those working in soil contamination management, agriculture, environment management, soil microbiology, and waste management. The polluting effects on the world around us of soil erosion, the unwanted migration of sediments, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the improper treatment of human and animal wastes have resulted in serious environmental and social problems around the world, problems which require us to look for solutions elsewhere than established physical and chemical technologies. Often the answer lies in hybrid applications in which microbial methods are combined with physical and chemical ones. When we remember that these highly effective microorganisms, cultured for a variety of applications, are but a tiny fraction of those to be found in the world around us, we realize the vastness of the untapped and beneficial potential of microorganisms.
Fundamental Aspects of Pollution Control and Environmental Science, 5: Pesticides in the Soil Environment focuses on the effects of pesticide use on the quality of soil. The manuscript first offers information on the classification of pesticides and physicochemical processes affecting pesticides in soil. Topics include herbicides, fungicides, movement in soil, chemical conversion and degradation, and photodecomposition. The text then elaborates on microbial processes affecting pesticides in soil, including fumigants, fungicides, and insecticides. The text examines the occurrence and persistence of pesticide residues in soil and minimizing pesticide residues in soil. Discussions focus on persistence, bound residues, plant uptake, short residual residues, and eliminating pesticide residues. The text is a dependable reference for readers interested in the effects of pesticide use on the quality of soil.
This is a unique compilation on the use of leaching/extraction methods in different fields. The use of leaching test methods is increasing in various areas including: waste treatment and disposal; incineration of waste; soil clean-up and reuse of cleaned soil; sludge treatment. This has led to (and may increasingly lead to) the development of a large number of very similar tests in these different fields. However, these developments are taking place with no clear understanding of their mutual relationships. In view of these developments, efforts are needed to harmonize the leaching procedures that could be adapted for different matrices, as well as validate the use of existing tests in other fields. The development of a wide variety of leaching/extraction tests for different matrices is undesirable from a regulatory point of view and undesirable for industry. Clarity in testing is crucial in producer-consumer relations. This collective document will assist in improving the understanding of leaching from a variety of sources and will, where appropriate, help to bring together the approaches used in different technical fields and in different countries.