The environment of our planet is degrading at an alarming rate because of non-sustainable urbanization, industrialization and agriculture. Unsustainable trends in relation to climate change and energy use, threats to public health, poverty and social exclusion, demographic pressure and ageing, management of natural resources, biodiversity loss, land use and transport still persist and new challenges are arising. Since these negative trends bring about a sense of urgency, short term action is required, whilst maintaining a longer term perspective. The main challenge is to gradually change our current unsustainable consumption and production patterns and the nonintegrated approach to policy-making. This book covers the broad area including potential of rhizospheric microorganisms in the sustainable plant development in anthropogenic polluted soils, bioremediation of pesticides from soil and waste water, toxic metals from soil, biological treatment of pulp and paper industry wastewater, sustainable solutions for agro processing waste management, solid waste management on climate change and human health, environmental impact of dyes and its remediation. Various methods for genotoxicity testing of environmental pollutants are also discussed and chapters on molecular detection of resistance and transfer genes in the environmental samples, biofilm formation by the environmental bacteria, biochemical attributes to assess soil ecosystem sustainability, application of rhizobacteria in biotechnology, role of peroxidases as a tool for the decolorization and removal of dyes and potential of biopesticides in sustainable agriculture. It offers a unique treatment of the subject, linking various protection strategies for sustainable development, describing the inter-relationships between the laboratory and field eco-toxicologist, the biotechnology consultant, environmental engineers and different international environmental regulatory and protection agencies.

Syngas from Waste presents the most recent concepts, methods and techniques for the preliminary design of a promising emerging technology: production of clean syngas from waste materials. An in-depth account is given of the steps necessary to achieve the optimum design and up-to-date tools are presented to support the designer's decision-making tasks: modelling, simulation and optimization. Numerous illustrations and tables are included to facilitate the reader's understanding, as well as suggestions for further reading. The text is complemented with practical examples and industrial applications ranging from clean power generation to complex combined heat and power systems and high purity hydrogen for use in fuel cells. Syngas from Waste contains high-quality contributions from leading experts in the field. It is intended for academics at MSc or PhD level, researchers and industry practitioners in syngas production and applications, who are involved in the design, retrofit design and evaluation activities of alternative scenarios. It contains valuable teaching material for lecturers and provides industry professionals with the know-how to evaluate and improve existing installations or even to design a new one.

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interestin this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and Iimits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives ofEnvironmental Chemistry must be the study ofthe environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environ ment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environ mental Chemistry. Wehave now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemieals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas ofup to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities ofwaste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently Iead to interference and disturbance of natural systems."

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet ab out the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives of Environmental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environmental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and was te products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cyc1es and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems.

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. loteTest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topies which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives of Environmental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemieal processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environmental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysieal modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce targe quantities of waste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems.

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives of Environ mental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environ mental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems."

This monograph consists of manuscripts submitted by invited speakers who participated in the symposium "Industrial Environmental Chemistry: Waste Minimization in Industrial Processes and Remediation of Hazardous Waste," held March 24-26, 1992, at Texas A&M University. This meeting was the tenth annual international symposium sponsored by the Texas A&M Industry-University Cooperative Chemistry Program (IUCCP). The program was developed by an academic-industrial steering committee consisting of the co-chairmen, Professors Donald T. Sawyer and Arthur E. Martell of the Texas A&M University Chemistry Department, and members appointed by the sponsoring companies: Bernie A. Allen, Jr., Dow Chemical USA; Kirk W. Brown, Texas A&M University; Abraham Clearfield, Texas A&M University; Greg Leyes, Monsanto Company; Jay Warner, Hoechst-Celanese Corporation; Paul M. Zakriski, BF Goodrich Company; and Emile A. Schweikert, Texas A&M University (IUCCP Coordinator). The subject of this conference reflects the interest that has developed in academic institutions and industry for technological solutions to environmental contamination by industrial wastes. Progress is most likely with strategies that minimize waste production from industrial processes. Clearly the key to the protection and preservation of the environment will be through R&D that optimizes chemical processes to minimize or eliminate waste streams. Eleven of the papers are directed to waste minimization. An additional ten papers discuss chemical and biological remediation strategies for hazardous wastes that contaminate soils, sludges, and water.

Solid waste management issues, technologies and challenges are dynamic. More so, in developing and transitory nations in Asia. This book, written by Asian experts in solid waste management, explores the current situation in Asian countries including Pacific Islands. There are not many technical books of this kind, especially dedicated to this region of the world. The chapters form a comprehensive, coherent investigation in municipal solid waste (MSW) management, including, definitions used, generation, sustainable waste management system, legal framework and impacts on global warming. Several case studies from Asian nations are included to exemplify the real situation experienced. Discussions on MSW policy in these countries and their impacts on waste management and minimization (if any) are indeed an eye-opener. Undoubtedly, this book would be a pioneer in revealing the latest situation in the Asian region, which includes two of the world's most dynamic nations in the economic growth. It is greatly envisaged to form an excellent source of reference in MSW management in Asia and Pacific Islands. This book will bridge the wide gap in available information between the developed and transitory/developing nations.

Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the first objectives of Environmental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Environmental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over five million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and fifty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modifications, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and confined areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems.

1. 5 REFERENCES 127 7 DIGITAL TERRAIN 129 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 129 1. 2 DRAINAGE NETWORK 130 1. 3 DEFINITION OF CHANNEL NETWORKS 135 1. 4 RESOLUTION DEPENDENT EFFECTS 138 1. 5 CONSTRAINING DRAINAGE DIRECTION 141 1. 6 SUMMARY 145 1. 7 REFERENCES 146 8 PRECIPITATION MEASUREMENT 149 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 149 1. 2 RAIN GAUGE ESTIMATION OF RAINFALL 151 ADAR STIMATION OF RECIPITATION 1. 3 R E P 155 1. 4 WSR-88D RADAR CHARACTERISTICS 167 1. 5 INPUT FOR HYDROLOGIC MODELING 172 1. 6 SUMMARY 174 1. 7 REFERENCES 175 9 FINITE ELEMENT MODELING 177 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 177 1. 2 MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION 182 1. 3 SUMMARY 194 1. 4 REFERENCES 195 10 DISTRIBUTED MODEL CALIBRATION 197 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 197 1. 2 CALIBRATION APPROACH 199 1. 3 DISTRIBUTED MODEL CALIBRATION 201 1. 4 AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION 208 1. 5 SUMMARY 214 1. 6 REFERENCES 214 11 DISTRIBUTED HYDROLOGIC MODELING 217 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 218 1. 2 CASE STUDIES 218 1. 3 SUMMARY 236 1. 4 REFERENCES 237 12 HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION 239 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 239 x Distributed Hydrologic Modeling Using GIS 1. 2 VFLO (TM) EDITIONS 241 1. 3 VFLO (TM) FEATURES AND MODULES 242 1. 4 MODEL FEATURE SUMMARY 245 1. 5 VFLO (TM) REAL-TIME 256 1. 6 DATA REQUIREMENTS 258 1. 7 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER MODELS 259 1. 8 SUMMARY 260 1.

Once again the present volume contains the majority of the papers presented at the Third Pan-American Biodeterioration Society Meeting held at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA, on August 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1989. The sponsors for this symposium included The George Washington University, The Smithsonian Institution, The Virginia Department of Health, The University of Connecticut, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Clark Atlanta University, Ball State University, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the Agriculture Research Service/U. S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Georgia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Morehouse College, the University of Texas at Houston, North Carolina State University, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Forest Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was developed by members of the Program, Planning, and Organizing Committee. Leading scientists in specific topic areas were invited. Also we accepted contributed papers from individuals and laboratories actively involved in relevant areas of research and study. The participation of internationally established scientists was encouraged. The Society CPABS) tried to ensure that the program reflected current developments, informed reviews, embryonic and developing areas, and critical assessment for several aspects of the present state of knowledge as it relates to the major sections of the proceedings. Obviously, not all aspects of biodeterioration or biodegradation are represented.

This book is based on an international meeting organized by the University of Tokyo and the University of Rochester, and is published as one belonging to the series of Rochester International Conferences in Environmental Toxicity. The meeting on "Advances in Mercury Toxicology" was held at the University of Tokyo on August 1 to 3, 1990. The invited papers are published in this book along with an "Overview" chapter that was written by the editors at a meeting held at the University of Rochester on August 1 to 2, 1991. The purpose of the meeting was to assemble leading scientists to discuss their most recent findings on the toxicology of mercury. The time was opportune. Considerable progress has been made on the environmental fate and toxicology of mercury. Recent findings have given new insight into the global model for mercury. Transport in the atmosphere extends great distances resulting in pollution of lakes and rivers far distant from the source of mercury release. The process of methylation leads to accumulation of methylmercury in fish and thus in the human diet. New evidence indicates that acid rain and the impoundment of water for hydroelectric purposes affects the methylation and bioaccumulation processes resulting in higher levels of methylmercury in fish.

This book evaluates and discusses the main sustainability challenges encountered in the production of biofuel and bio- products from oil palm biomass. It starts off with the emphasis on oil palm production, oil palm products recovery and oil palm wastes utilization. The simultaneous production of these bio-products for sustainable development is discussed. This is followed by the key factors defining the sustainability of biofuel and bio-product production from oil palm biomass. The environmental issues including ecological, life cycle assessment and environmental impact assessment of oil palm plantation, milling and refining for the production of biofuels and bio-products are presented. Socio- economic and thermodynamic analysis of the production processes are also evaluated using various sustainability assessment tools such as exergy. Lastly, methods of improving biofuel production systems for sustainable development are highlighted.

There is an extremely voluminous literature on radioactive waste and its disposal, much in the form of government-sponsored research reports. To wade through this mountain of literature is indeed a tedious task, and it is safe to speculate that very few, if any, individuals have the time to examine each report that has been issued during the preceding ten years. This book attempts to summarize much of this literature. Further, many workers in the geosciences have not received training in the nuclear sciences, and many nuclear scientists could be better versed in geology. In this book an attempt is made to cover some background material on radioactive wastes and geotoxicity that may not be an integral part of a geologist's training, and background material on geology and geochemistry for the nuclear scientist. The geochemical material is designed for both the geoscientist and the nuclear scientist. There is no specific level for this book. Certainly, it should be useful to advanced undergraduates and graduates studying geology and nuclear science. It does not pretend to cover a tremendous amount of detail in all subjects, yet the references cited provide the necessary source materials for follow-up study. It is my intention that the reader of this book will have a better, broader understanding of the geochemical aspects of radioactive waste disposal than is otherwise available in anyone source.

This book originated in a series of cross-disciplinary conversations in the years 1984-1990 between the editor, who is a physician-researcher involved in clinical and laboratory research, and a dioxin toxicologist. During the years in which the conversations took place, an extraordinary amount of new scientific literature was published related to dioxins, defined for purposes of this text as the chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphe nyls (PCB's) and other compounds that are structurally and toxicologically similar to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7 ,8-TCDD), the most extensively studied and most toxic of this group of chemicals. Dioxins also began to interest not only chemists and toxicologists, but also specialists from diverse disciplines such as wildlife and environmental science, immunology, neuroscience,public health, epidemiology, med icine, government, law, sociology, and journalism. Specialists from such varied disciplines, while familiar with their own literature, frequently did not have time to follow the dioxin literature outside their specialty area. In addition, each specialty had unique knowledge, methods, and perspectives. Cross disciplinary conversation was necessary, but all too frequently, specialists from the various disciplines did not speak the same language, resulting in misunderstanding.

This volume is intended for the professional who is a newcomer to the area of environmental radon. It marks the first time that chapters on these subjects have been brought together in a single volume, and it is arranged so that anyone with some basic university-level chemistry and physics can develop a clear understanding of the different aspects involved. The volume is intended to serve as a supplementary textbook in public health, environmental, and health physics courses. It also can be used by the professional to get "up to speed" in this rapidly evolving field. The chapters are not necessarily a discussion of the latest research in this fast-moving field, but are intended to bring the reader to a level at which he can easily understand the current literature. At the back of this volume the reader will find the references for the individual chapters, a general list of reading materials, a glossary, an appendix describing the equations for radioactive decay for a series of progeny, a table of often used conversion factors, and the addresses and brief biographies of the authors and editors. Both historical and SI (International System) units are used throughout the book to provide information for the widest range of readers. Thanks go to Tom Hess for the idea for this volume and to Jessica Barron for help in editing.

The discipline of surface and colloid chemistIy has experienced a considerable resurgence since the early sixties. This perhaps reflects a growing realisation of the wide applicability of modern colloid and surface theory to many important industrial, medical and environmental problems. This increased activity has resulted in a very complex and at times even confusing area of science being consolidated within a firm theoretical framework. The clearer insights gained into the underlying principles have no doubt acted in an autocatalytic manner to stimulate further interest in an expanding range of applications. A good example in the area of environmental chemistry has been the realization of the important role played by colloidal material and surface interactions in natural biogeochemical processes that has been the subject of increasing attention over the last few decades. This is well illustrated by the numerous studies carried out to elucidate the speciation, toxicity, transport and fate of pollutants in aquatic systems. In the vast majority cases these have clearly implicated some involvement of an aSSOciation between the of pollutant (e. g. trace metal, toxic organic compound or nutrient) and a colloidal component (e. g. particle, humic substance, foam). In order to understand these interactions fully and their effect on pollutant mobility it is important to develop a full appreciation of the surface chemistry of these complex systems. Australian SCientists have long been prominent in the area of colloid and surface chemistry particularly dUring the latter half of this century.

Biological markers (biomarkers) are useful tools for understanding the nature and extent of human exposure and risk from environmental toxicants. Biomarkers are classified into three basic categories: exposure, effect, or susceptibility. A marker of exposure is the product of the interaction between a target cell or molecule and a foreign substance (NAS, 1989). These markers can be used to determine the biologically effective dose necessary to elicit a particular physiological change in an organism. A marker of effect is a biochemical or physiological change in an organism that can predict the onset of adverse health effects resulting from a given exposure. Lastly, markers of susceptibility act as indicators of an inherent or acquired tendency of an organism to experience an adverse health effect (NAS, 1989). These markers are already used to detect a variety of diseases and show great promise for developing a better understanding of the mechanicisms of disease. Additionally, biomarkers can be used to establish a more rational basis for quantitative risk extrapolation between species, as weIl as to obtain more precise estimates of the time of critical exposure. These markers can also prove helpful in identifying potentially damaging exposures before the onset of adverse health effects. Biomarkers serve as a valuable exposure assessment tool because they take into account exposure from all routes and integrate exposure from all sources. They have the potential to yield better risk estimates than current monitoring and modeling protocols. In lune 1992, Dr. Travis and Dr.

This book represents the efforts of over a hundred individuals who planned and executed the NSTS field experiments, analyzed the billions of data points, and distilled their findings and insights into the summaries found here. Because these experiments were of a scope that will seldom, if ever, be duplicated, and because the program brought together many of the foremost field experimentalists in this country, we all felt from the beginning that it was important to preserve the outcome. This was done in two ways. First, the raw data were made available to any interested investigator within 18 months of the completion of each experiment. Secondly, both the methodology of the experiments and the findings from them were codified in the form of a monograph. This book is that result. I have had the occasion recently (Sediments '87 Proceedings, Vol. 1, pp. 642-651) to assess the NSTS performance. I found that we made giant strides in our understanding of the surf zone hydrodynamics --far more than our fondest expectations at the beginning. We were able to do less than we had hoped about the response of the sediment, largely because of a limited ability to measure it at a point. As I reported in the Sediments '87 assessment, we established a new state of the art in measurement techniques and we demonstrated the effectiveness of large, multi-investigator, instrument-intensive experiments for studying nearshore processes.

This volume, unlike the three preceding it, represents the collected papers from an experiment with an "electronic symposium." Co-participators in this symposium included The George Washington University, The Smithsonian Institution, Clark Atlanta University, the Agriculture Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, The University of Georgia, Morris Brown College, Spellman College, Morehouse College, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, The United States Food and Drug Administration, and the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture among others. This unusual "electronic symposium" concept was developed by members of the Program, Planning and Organizing Committee as an alternative to the more costly convention-type symposium. As before, leading scientists in specific topic areas were invited to participate. Topic Session chairpersons were encouraged to arrange their own method of communication by telephone, electronic mail, or conference call, and report their findings back to the symposium center at The George Washington University. Additional papers were accepted from individuals and laboratories who are actively involved in relevant areas of research and study. Participation was also arranged for internationally established scientists. International authors are represented herein from Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Argentina. Our goal was to present a research composite volume that reflected current developments, informed reviews, new and recently developing areas of the present state of knowledge as it relates to these proceeding topics. All of the reports included in this volume have undergone scientific, technical and editorial peer review.

Biochemistry of Halogenated Organic Compounds has been written as a general reference source for researchers in several related areas, including organic chemists, medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and medical researchers. The development of halogenated compounds as medicinal agents and pharmacological tools and the fascinating biochemi cal processes that have been discovered and studied using these analogues have generated extremely active areas of research and an enormous volume of literature. Thus, halogenated organic compounds pervade every aspect of biochemistry, a fact made apparent by the numerous reviews and monographs available on individual topics-halogenated nucleosides, halogenated carbohydrates, and so forth. Given the quantity of material already written on these topics, some of which material is quite current, it might be asked whether a one-volume review of these subjects is useful, or possible. Having now completed this work, I feel the answer to both questions is an emphatic yes. There are fascinating stories to be related in each area, and, where appropriate, I have attempted to develop these topics . from a historical perspective. For example, the discovery of the anticancer activity of fluorouracil, the unraveling of the several mechanisms of its action, and the development of a host of later generations of anticancer and antiviral agents based on the parent fluoro-, iodo-, bromo-, and trifluoromethylpyrimidines were, and are, contributions of major magnitude to medical science."

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology attempts to provide concise, critical reviews of timely advances, philosophy and significant areas of accomplished or needed endeavor in the total field of xenobiotics, in any segment of the environment, as well as toxicological implications.

This is a collection of papers presented at the 1985 annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis. As always seems to occur at these meetings, the discussion was lively, the sessions were filled, and people complained about not being able to hear all the papers they wanted to because of concurrent sessions. If ever someone is in charge of a meeting, I wish them the good luck to have it be one for the Society for Risk Analysis. While I was responsible for the meeting, it could not have taken place without the efforts of the general chairman, Alan Moshissi. The program committee was chaired by Janice Longstreth, and included Lee Abramson and Vincent Covello. Together we assembled disparate papers into reasonably coherent sessions, prodded authors into getting us manuscrLpts on time, and dealt with all the last minute changes that are required for a major meeting. The Washington chapter of the Society for Risk Analysis hosted the meeting. Dr. Longstreth was president of the chapter during this fateful year and deserves a great deal of thanks for her organizational skills and efforts. Rick Cothern, Jerry Chandler, Kathleen Knox, Sue Perlin, and Paul Price played major roles in organ1z1ng the meeting and making it run smoothly. Special thanks go to Richard J. Burk, Jr. , Executive Secretary of the Society, and his staff for handling the logistics.

During the past five years increased awareness of environmental contamination by nitroaromatic compounds has led to a dramatic increase in research on their biodegradation. The resulting discoveries have markedly extended our understanding of degradation mecha nisms and pathways in bacteria and fungi. Futhermore, this new basic knowledge promises the development of field applications of biodegradation systems for nitroaromatic com pounds. In May of 1994, an International Symposium on the Biodegradation of Nitro aromatic Compounds was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This symposium brought together the scientists at the frontiers of research into the biodegradation of nitro aromatic compounds. The invited speakers were asked to review their area of expertise and write a critical, comprehensive synthesis of their work and related work by others. This book is the result of their efforts. The emphasis of the reviews is on basic research in biodegradation and biotransfor mation. Therefore, the reactions of nitroaromatic compounds in plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, soil, and even nonbiological systems are considered. The goal of the work is to provide the reader with an appreciation of the tremendous range of possibilities for metabolism of aromatic nitro compounds and the experimental approaches used to understand them. This volume should be of interest to biochemists, microbiologists, engineers, toxicologists, and anyone interested in the behavior of synthetic chemicals in the environment or in living systems. Furthermore, a variety of commercial applications can be envisioned for some of the reactions described here.