Functional Microbiomes II, Volume 68 in the Advances in Ecological Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. Chapters include Investigating the core microbiome concept: Daphnia as a case study and Soil Microbiome

Algae Based Bioelectrochemical Systems for Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Storage, Bioremediation and Bioproduct Generation explores the integration of carbon capture, storage and sequestration technologies with bioelectrochemical fuels cells (BEFC), showing how conventional technologies can be renovated to aid in the reduction in GHG emissions and simultaneously optimize BEFC performance. The book focuses on the integration of algal biogas upgradation with electrochemical systems, providing a guide to the renovation of conventional technologies to combine energy production and carbon sequestration. Chapters discuss the latest advancements in carbon sequestration biocatalyst and microbial platforms and integrations for rapid carbon biotransformations. In addition, the book highlights the potential of algae and chemolithotrophs as candidates for carbon delivery, biocatalyst orientation and architecture for optimal BEFC performance.

An extraordinary life, recorded for posterity, by a man who beat adversity in his earlier days to fulfil his ambition to succeed in the commercial world. John Lucken tells the story of his time from an old-style naval school of the 1930s, thorugh WW11 and the Korean War to entering the field of hydrographic survey and exploration worldwide. He recalls working in Borneo and in the former Dutch New Guinea before the arrival there of the powerful mining companies and the influx of thousands of immigrants from other parts of Indonesia. He was present in Nigeria when the first oil well was discovered and stayed in contact throughout the Biafran civil war. Emotional recollections that are a real eye-opener and a lesson to anyone sat behind a desk in Britain about just how different a life can be.

Inorganic Contaminants and Radionuclides is a single reference covering common inorganic contaminants in detail, including their distribution in the environment, challenges linked to management, geogenic sources, anthropogenic sources, exposure and effects, international agreements and legislation relating to the contaminant, remediation options and global case studies. In addition, the book provides summaries of contaminated sites and key details about contaminants to present a more comprehensive understanding and improve remediation and management practices. The book's clear, consistent organization makes it a valuable resource for researchers, students and practitioners working in environmental science, environmental management and environmental engineering. One of the major constraints to assessing and remediating contaminated sites is the lack of awareness of the extent and severity of contaminated sites amongst the community, regulators, policymakers, industry operators, university graduates and environmental managers. This book helps to manage these constraints.

Water Resources Management for Rural Development: Challenges and Mitigation provides an overview of the current challenges of rural water and its management strategies. The content contains practical and theoretical aspects of the water crisis in rural areas in a changing climate era, with an emphasis on recent water crisis research and management strategies. The book's structure contains fundamentals of water resources, pollution, remediation, supply and management strategies. Case studies included provide different water-related issues around the globe, introducing the reader to the paths of reducing the burden on the groundwater and the alternative options for the supply of water in rural areas. Decision-makers and water supply authorities will benefit from this unique resource that comprehensively covers rural water management in ways no comparable book has achieved.

A highly-illustrated, pocket-sized guide to understanding the forces that have shaped the world's cities from the dawn of civilisation to the present day. The fortunes of towns and cities rise and fall along with the fate of the civilisations to which they belong. Some are lost entirely, now no more than ruins; others have thrived as urban centres for millennia; and all contain vital clues embedded in their streets and skylines which reveal why their inhabitants grouped together, and tell of their unique social, political and cultural histories. Packed with plans, maps, and drawings, this book takes you on an international journey of discovery to explore the history of cities from our earliest urban origins to the contemporary world city - from Babylon to Beijing, London to Paris, and from the skyscrapers of New York to the streets of their own home town. A must-read for anyone interested in history, cities, and travel, this fascinating book turns you into an urban detective to see how our towns and cities grew the way they are.

A grandmother of four, dons a 25lb rucksack and treks the 700kms El Camino to Santiago de Compostela in a sponsored quest to protect Manx wildlife. Her diary and notes of the route have been compiled into an inspirational journal of adventures across the vineyards, sierras and cities of northern Spain. Her light-hearted informative approach brings to life all that is to be seen on El Camino and an excellent guide for anyone contemplating walking this ancient and well-trodden path.

A brilliantly reported true-life thriller that goes behind the scenes of the financial crisis on Wall Street and in Washington.
In one of the most gripping financial narratives in decades, Andrew Ross Sorkin-a "New York Times" columnist and one of the country's most respected financial reporters-delivers the first definitive blow- by-blow account of the epochal economic crisis that brought the world to the brink. Through unprecedented access to the players involved, he re-creates all the drama and turmoil of these turbulent days, revealing never-before-disclosed details and recounting how, motivated as often by ego and greed as by fear and self-preservation, the most powerful men and women in finance and politics decided the fate of the world's economy.

Puzzled by Welsh place names - but want to know what they mean and how to say them? Look no further. This is an exciting full colour pocket guide, "Understanding Welsh Place Names: What They Mean and How to Say Them", from outdoor specialists Northern Eye Books. This innovative yet carefully thought out guide means non-Welsh speakers can now easily translate and understand place names all over Wales - on the map, on road signs, and out in the countryside. Written by native Welsh speaker, Gwili Gog, the book contains not only a comprehensive gazetteer of place names arranged county by modern county - with an authoritative explanation of what each name means - but also a potted history of the Welsh language, a quick look at pronunciation, and a photographic exploration of place names in the landscape, as well as key words accompanied by phonetic explanations of how to pronounce them. But perhaps the most notable element of this book is its themed approach to the ideas and beliefs that lie at the heart of the Welsh language.Separate illustrated text boxes on each double page spread explore more than thirty central topics such as Hills and Mountains; Ancient Animals; Colours in the Countryside; Fords, Ferries and Bridges; Holy Wells; Inns and Taverns; and Funny Place Names. Armed with this insider knowledge, visitors will discover there's a whole unexplored new dimension to the Welsh landscape. In fact, for readers, Wales will never be quite the same again.

Delve into the fabric of the planet to discover the wonders that hide there, from glittering minerals to stunning patterned rocks. See the watermelon colours of tourmaline, the shimmering glow of beryl and the radiant beauty of amethyst. Each rock and mineral is depicted in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Find out how the powerful forces that power our planet forge these incredible natural creations, why they are such vivid colours, and why some are so rare. With stunning illustrations, intriguing facts, and full-colour, poster-sized illustrations, this is the ideal reference for all the family. Stunning illustrations – vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible rocks and minerals to life. 36 different rocks and minerals - learn about dozens of rocks and minerals, from the shining emerald to the huge crystals of fluorite. Hundreds of dip-in facts – captivating and educational for budding geologists and petrologists of all ages.

Our beautiful planet is in danger: the warning signs are there, year after year – from vast forest fires across Australia to coral bleaching in the Pacific and the rapid break up of polar ice and the consequent rise in sea levels, threatening low-lying coastal communities everywhere. Arranged by continent, Endangered Places introduces the reader to many of the most stunning natural locations from the around the world that are currently under threat. Learn about the magnificent Bornean rainforest, home to threatened species such as orangutans, probiscis monkeys and the Sumatran rhinoceros; marvel at the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, stretching 2,300 kilometres along Australia’s east coast and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps; explore the Aral Sea, formerly the fourth largest lake in the world and today less than 10 per cent of it’s original size after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet irrigation projects; and understand the process of desertification, which has led to the huge expansion of the Sahara Desert and the dramatic shrinkage of Lake Chad. Illustrated with more than 180 photographs of more than 100 threatened locations, Endangered Places celebrates the beauty of our planet while reminding us of how easily this can be lost through human behaviour and climate change.

Pauline McHardy takes a methodical approach to her subject explaining Jamaican geography and urban development as well as the political and social factors that have influenced, and will influence, the country's planning regulations. She outlines the major acts that have shaped the evoltuion of the planning system in Jamaica since its independence from Britain, and considers their impact on both major urban and rural regions of the island. She draws on her educational background in geography and community and regional planning, as well as eighteen years experience of working with the Jamaican government in this area, to produce a book which meticulously defines the the developing role of town and regional planning in Jamaica.

Fruit and Vegetable Waste Utilization and Sustainability presents strategies to address the amount of waste generated from the industrial processing of fruits and vegetables. Sections address the valorization of fruit and vegetable waste for high-value products, the techno-economic assessment of fruit and vegetable biorefinery/valorization, environmental impacts through real-life examples of lifecycle assessment, and content on integrated biorefineries, policies and case studies. Food scientists and nutrition researchers, as well as food industry professionals working toward zero waste and academics and students studying related fields, are sure to benefit from this reference.

Embrace off-grid green living and imagine a more sustainable future with the original guide to self-sufficiency.

For over 40 years, John Seymour has inspired thousands to make more eco-friendly choices with his advice on living sustainably. The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency offers step-by-step instructions on everything from chopping trees to harnessing solar power; from growing fruit and vegetables, and preserving and pickling your harvest, to baking bread, brewing beer, and making cheese. Seymour shows you how to live off the land, running your own smallholding or homestead, and raising (and butchering) livestock.

In a world of mass production, intensive farming, and food miles, Seymour's words offer an alternative: a celebration of investing time, labour, and love into the things we need. While we won't all be able to move to the countryside, we can appreciate the need to eat food that has been grown ethically or create things we can cherish, using skills that have been handed down through generations. This bestselling classic is a balm for anyone who has ever sought solace away from the madness of modern life.

Waste Biorefineries: Advanced Design Concepts for Integrated Waste to Energy Processes presents a detailed guide to the design of energy-efficient and cost-effective waste-integrated biorefineries. Integrating thermochemical processing of waste with existing waste-to-energy technologies, the book includes the latest developments and technologies. It introduces current waste valorization techniques and examines reasons to modify existing waste-to-energy systems through the integration of new processes. In addition, the book explains the design of novel biorefineries and methods to assess these processes alongside detailed results, including the integration of waste-based CHP plants with waste gasification and the integration of pyrolysis technologies and biogas plants with waste thermochemical processing. Other sections discuss the issues and challenges of commercializing waste-to-energy technologies, including uncertainty in waste thermochemical process designs, the environmental impact of waste-integrated biorefineries, and the role of integrated waste-to-energy management in smart cities and urban energy systems. This book will be an invaluable reference for students, researchers and those in industry who are interested in the design and implementation of waste-to-energy systems, waste biomass-based combined heat and power plants, biogas plants and forest-based industries.

Modeling and Mitigation Measures for Managing Extreme Hydrometeorological Events Under a Warming Climate explores the most recent computational tools, modeling frameworks, and critical data analysis measures for managing extreme climate events. Extreme climate events-primarily floods and droughts-have had major consequences in terms of loss of life and property around the world. Managing extreme occurrences, reducing their effects, and establishing adaptation strategies requires significant policy and planning improvements. This practical guide explores the latest research literature, recent advanced modeling approaches, and fundamental ideas and concepts to provide a variety of solutions for managing extreme events.