Chandra R. Advances in Biodegradation and Bioremediation of Industrial Waste

Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. 2015. — 442 p. — ISBN 978-1-4987-0054-2.The present book has compiled the available advanced knowledge of biodegradation and bioremediation of various environmental pollutants, which are a real challenge to environmental researchers in the current scenario. In general, the bioremediation and biodegradation processes are typically implemented in a relatively cheaper manner and are applicable on a large scale. Besides, only a few bioremediation techniques have even been successfully implemented to clean up the polluted soil, oily sludge and groundwater contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides and other chemicals. Still, some pollutants released from tanneries, distilleries and the pulp paper industry are a challenge to scientists due to lack of proper knowledge regarding the persistent organic pollutants discharged from these industries and the process of their detoxification. Similarly, the safe disposal and biodegradation of hospital waste is also a real challenge worldwide for human health.For this book, a number of experts from universities, government research laboratories and industry have shared their specialised knowledge in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. Chapters dealing with microbiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of biodegradation and bioremediation have covered numerous topics, including microbial genomics and proteomics for the bioremediation of industrial waste. The roles of siderophores and the rhizosphere bacterial community for phytoremediation of heavy metals have been also described in detail with their mechanisms. The mechanism of phytoremediation of soil polluted with heavy metals is still not very clear to all researchers. Therefore, the current advances in phytoremediation have been included in this book. The relationship of metagenomes with persistent organic pollutants present in the sugarcane molasses–based distillery waste and pulp paper mill wastewater after secondary treatment has been also described. The role of biosurfactants for bioremediation and biodegradation of various pollutants discharged from industrial waste has been described as they are tools of biotechnology. In the bioremediation process, the role of potential microbial enzymatic processes has been described; these are very important tools for understanding bioremediation and biodegradation. The book has also described the latest knowledge regarding the biodegradation of tannery and textile waste. The role of microbes in plastic degradation bioremediation and recycling of urban waste is highlighted properly. Although the microbial degradation of hexachlorocyclohexane and other pesticides has been emphasised earlier in detail, the recent development of bioremediation of various xenobiotics is still not well documented and circulated; hence, this book has described the latest information. The biodegradation of complex industrial waste is a major challenge for sustainable development in the current scenario. Therefore, this book has given emphasis on the role of different bioreactors for treatment of complex industrial waste. Thus, this book will facilitate to the environmental engineering student also.This book has also given special emphasis to phytoremediation and the role of wetland plant rhizosphere bacterial ecology and the bioremediation of industrial wastewater. Therefore, this book will provide an opportunity for a wide range of readers, including students, researchers and consulting professionals in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and environmental sciences. We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and support of all the contributing authors for the publication of this book.