The book Eco-Restoration of the Polluted Environment: A Biological Perspective explores recent advances in biological strategies for the remediation of polluted environments, including soil, water, and air. It covers bioremediation of heavy metals, radioactive waste, and waste gases, which are believed to be bottleneck problems for researchers working in this field. The book contains separate chapters on genetic engineering technology for enhancement of the bioremediation potential of bioresources and the role of biosurfactants, enzymes, and exo-polysaccharides for bioremediation of polluted environments, along with basic aspects of eco-restoration by microorganisms. It summarizes the significant developments of many years of research in bioremediation technology and discusses them critically by presenting selected examples, while also considering future research directions in the area.
Features:
- Deep insight into the modes of action of various bioremediation strategies, as well as the status and progress of bioremediation technology for sustainable developmental practices
- A research overview of bioremediation strategies using engineered biological resources for remediation of contaminants. The book will also accelerate the application of suitable engineered microbes and plants for field applications
- A survey of interdisciplinary findings and insights on the impact of pollution on the ecosystem and human health, climate, and other global changes, with individual solutions to the pollution issue
- Comprehensive information for relevant stakeholders such as global leaders, agriculturists, investors, innovators, farmers, policymakers, extension workers, agro-industrialists, environmentalists, and the education and health sectors, as well as students and researchers in the field
Table of Contents:
1 Environmental Pollution: Threat and Challenges for Management
2 Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil
3 Mycoremediation of Metallic Pollutants
4 Biological Solutions for Metal-Contaminated Environments: Role of Engineered Microbes and Plants
5 Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants
6 Microbial and Phyto-Remediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil
7 The Biological Remediation of Water and Wastewaters Using Different Treatment Techniques
8 Effective Microorganisms: A Microbial Technology to Improve the Polluted Water Quality
9 Microbe Assisted Remediation of Pesticide Residues From Soil and Water
10 Rejuvenation of Ponds through Phytoremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Water Quality Enhancement
11 Simple Techniques for Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria with Potential for Degradation of DDT from Contaminated Soil
12 Bacterial Reduction of Molybdenum as a Tool for its Bioremediation
13 Health Hazards and Bacterial Bioremediation of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals - A concise discussion on Phthalic acid esters and Organophosphorus Pesticide Malathion
14 Bacterial Ammonia Oxidation A Way Towards Environment Remediation
About the Author :
Mr. Sandip V. Rathod (Assistant Research Scientist, Soil Science Division) has eight years of teaching and research experience. His research interests include the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from agroecosystems, the use of effluent water for agricultural purposes, remediation of heavy metal–contaminated soil and nano fertilizers, and its impact on soil properties. He has handled research projects on the reuse of wastewater and nanofertilizers. He is actively involved in the dissemination of agricultural technologies to farmers through the organization of various training programs and through TV and radio talks. He acted as co-coordinator for a training program on soil and water testing for agriculture. His publication profile includes 15 research papers, 1 book chapter, 2 books, 2 teaching manuals, and 15 popular articles.
Review :
Eco-restoration, or ecological restoration, is the process of recovering ecosystems that have been degraded by human activities. In this book, the editor brings together a group of experts who describe bioremediation processes that use living organisms, primarily microorganisms, and plants, to transform harmful pollutants into less toxic or harmless substances. The book begins with a general assessment of the challenges of applying environmental management strategies. Coverage is given to specialized ways of using phytoremediation which employ plants to remove pollutants from soil and water. Microbe-assisted methods using bacteria and fungi to remove pollutants are then discussed. Separate mention is provided from nature-based ways of wastewater remediation. One chapter describes strategies for isolating and characterizing organisms with pollution remediation capabilities. Each chapter describes in detail the biochemistry of the different bioremediation processes, including information about the limitations of bioremediation. Ample figures, data tables, and current primary references are provided in each chapter. A very important aspect of the book is that many remediation strategies described by the authors can be employed by economically developing nations. The book, though a technical compilation of research, is accessible to a general audience.
-- B. R. Shmaefsky, Lone Star College - Kingwood, Choice April 2025
