Amitava Rakshit - Bioremediation Science: From Theory to Practice

Editors

Amitava Rakshit

Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry

Institute of Agricultural Sciences

Banaras Hindu University

Varanasi, UP

India

Manoj Parihar

Crop Production Division

ICAR-Vivakananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan

Almora, Uttarakhand

India

Binoy Sarkar

Lancaster Environment Centre

Lancaster University

Lancaster

UK

Harikesh B. Singh

Retired Professor of Mycology and Plant Pathology

Institute of Agricultural Sciences

Banaras Hindu University

Varanasi, UP

India

Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto

So Paulo State University

Sorocaba, So Paulo

Brazil

The introduction of human civilization and their progressive development has placed enormous pressure on environmental integrity. Unscientific disposal of waste released from industries, agriculture and domestic sources is posing a great threat to natural biodiversity and its existence. Therefore, there is an urgent need of diminution of hazardous pollutants and xenobiotics using economical, effective and viable alternative. In this regard, bioremediation offers a greater possibility to manage the wide range of potential toxic pollutants. Bioremediation includes plants, microbes and their enzymes in order to detoxify or degrade the heterogeneous and toxic substances to an innocuous state. Due to natural attenuation and cost effective feature, this approach provides an edge over other conventional methods. However, the long duration involved and inappropriate levels of residual contaminants render this technique ineffective, but technical expertise and considerable experience with appropriate design of bioremediation program can become the game changer that modern world needs. The continuous changes and evolution of new metabolic pathways have facilitated these microbes to degrade or detoxify the resistant and various heterogeneous pollutants present on this planet. In the last few years, research on bioremediation has received much attention and increased dramatically to develop a more effective and applied bioremediation process. However, this rapidly advancing field requires a multidisciplinary approach with up-to-date knowledge to broaden the perspective of researcher engaged in this field. In this book, we have tried to cover the current research development along with some new approaches, methods and management strategies for the abatement of contaminants present in soils, sediments, surface water and aquifers for the environmental conservation in a sustainable way. It offers new insights and perspectives for novices and experts as for students, academicians, teachers, researchers, environmentalists and other individuals interested in the field of bioremediation.

This book provides state of the art description of various approaches, techniques and some basic fundamentals of bioremediation to manage a variety of organic and inorganic wastes and pollutants present in our environment. The scope of this book extends to environmental/agricultural scientists, students, consultants, site owners, industrial stakeholders, regulators and policy makers with a holistic and systematic approach. It covers new development and recent advances in the field of bioremediation research within relevant theoretical framework to improve our understanding of the cleaning up of polluted water and contaminated land. The book is easy to read, and the language can be readily comprehended by aspiring newcomer, students, researchers and anyone else interested in this field.

Amitava Rakshit

Manoj Parihar

Binoy Sarkar

Harikesh B. Singh

Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto

We bow our appreciation to several enthusiastic hearts due to whose promise and devotion in the subject, we have been able to accomplish this gigantic job. Our profound sense of veneration and sincere thanks to the contemporaries and students who assisted us in our venture in bringing this book to light. Our sincere thanks also go to Prof. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan for his immense impact, unwavering back-up and support. Thanks to everyone on my publishing team. Special thanks to Raju Primlani and Danielle Zarfati. Last but not the least we should thank our family, immediate and extended, who always encouraged us to continue the enormous task Finally, we thank all the people who have supported us to complete the task directly or indirectly.