Bioremediation: Principles and Applications (Biotechnology Research, Series Number 6)

Industrial and agricultural activity throughout this century has led to considerable contamination of soil and groundwater resources by hazardous chemicals. The technique of bioremediation uses living organisms-usually bacteria and fungi-to remove pollutants from soil and water with minimal disturbance to these environments. This approach, which is potentially more cost-effective than traditional techniques such as incineration of soils and carbon filtration of water, requires an understanding of how organisms transform chemicals, how they survive in polluted environments, and how they can be used in the field. This book examines these issues for many of the most serious and common environmental contaminants, presenting the most recent position on the application of bioremediation to polluted soil and water. Increased Industrial And Agricultural Activity This Century Has Led To Vast Quantities Of The Earth's Soil And Groundwater Resources Becoming Contaminated With Hazardous Chemicals. Bioremediation Provides A Technology Based On The Use Of Living Organisms, Usually Bacteria And Fungi, To Remove Pollutants From Soil And Water, Preferably In Situ. This Approach, Which Is Potentially More Cost-effective Than Traditional Techniques Such As Incineration Of Soils And Carbon Filtration Of Water, Requires An Understanding Of How Organisms Transform Chemicals, How They Survive In Polluted Environments And How They Should Be Employed In The Field. This Book Examines These Issues For Many Of The Most Serious And Common Environmental Contaminants, Resulting In A Volume Which Presents The Most Recent Position On The Application Of Bioremediation To The Cleanup Of Polluted Soil And Water. Introduction / Ronald L. Crawford -- Engineering Of Bioremediation Processes : Needs And Limitations / Wudneh Admassu And Roger A. Korus -- Bioremediation In Soil : Influence Of Soil Properties On Organic Contaminants And Bacteria / Matthew J. Morra -- Biodegradation Of 'btex' Hydrocarbons Under Anaerobic Conditions / Lee R. Krumholz, Matthew E. Caldwell And Joseph M. Suflita -- Bioremediation Of Petroleum Contamination / Eugene Rosenberg And Eliora Z. Ron -- Bioremediation Of Environments Contaminated By Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / James G. Mueller, Carl E. Cerniglia And P. Hap Pritchard -- Bioremediation Of Nitroaromatic Compounds / Stephen B. Funk, Don L. Crawford And Ronald L. Crawford -- A History Of Pcb Biodegradation / Ronald Unterman -- Bioremediation Of Chlorinated Phenols / Jaakko A. Puhakka And Esa S. Melin -- Biodegradation Of Chlorinated Aliphatic Compounds / Lawrence P. Wackett -- Microbial Remediation Of Metals / T.m. Roane, I.l. Pepper And R.m. Miller -- Molecular Techniques In Bioremediation / Malcolm S. Shields And Stephen C. Francesconi. R.l. Crawford And D.l. Crawford. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The selection of microbiological processes for treating soils and groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants requires characterization of the waste, selection of an appropriate microorganism or consortium, and information about degradation pathway and rates.