A comprehensive resource to sustainability and its application to the environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security sectors Sustainability fills a gap in the literature in order to provide an important guide to the fundamental knowledge and practical applications of sustainability in a wide variety of areas. The authors - noted experts who represent a number of sustainability fields - bring together in one comprehensive volume the broad range of topics including basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and the socio-economic aspects of sustainability. In addition, the book covers applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, as well as carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects. Sustainability addresses the challenges the global community is facing due to population growth, depletion of non-renewable resources of energy, environmental degradation, poverty, excessive generation of wastes and more. Throughout the book the authors discuss the economics, ecological, social, technological and systems perspectives of sustainability. This important resource: Explores the fundamentals as well as the key concepts of sustainability; Covers basic concepts, impact assessment, environmental and socio-economic aspects, applications of sustainability in environmental, industrial, agricultural and food security, carbon cycle and infrastructural aspects; Argues the essentiality of sustainability in ensuring the propitious future of earth systems; and Authored by experts from a range of various fields related to sustainability. Written for researchers and scientists, students and academics, Sustainability: Fundamentals and Applications is a comprehensive book that covers the basic knowledge of the topic combined with practical applications.

A one-stop guide to the future of sustainable energy production The search for sustainable energy sources powered by renewable, non-fossil fuel resources is one of the great scientific challenges of the era. Microorganisms such as bacteria and algae have been shown to function as the basis of a microbial fuel cell, which can operate independently of an electrical power grid on the basis of renewable feed sources. These fuel cells have shown applications ranging from powering implantable biomedical devices to purifying rural water sources, and many more. Microbial Electrochemical Technologies offers a one-stop shop for researchers and developers of technologies incorporating these microbial fuel cells. Beginning with the fundamental processes involved in microbial energy production and the key components of a bioelectrochemical system (BES), it then surveys the major BES types and crucial aspects of technological development and commercialization. The result is an indispensable introduction to these vital power sources and their myriad applications. Microbial Electrochemical Technologies readers will also find: Detailed treatment of BES types including fuel cells, electrolysis and electrosynthesis cells, and more Discussion of commercialization aspects including modelling, performance analysis, and life cycle assessment An authorial team with decades of combined experience on three continents Microbial Electrochemical Technologies is a useful reference for electrochemists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, and bioengineers.

Microconstituents in the Environment Comprehensive introduction to managing novel pollutants commonly released into the environment through industrial and everyday processes Microconstituents in the Environment: Occurrence, Fate, Removal and Management provides the readers with an understanding of the occurrence and fate of microconstituents, pollutants that have not previously been detected or regulated under current environmental laws or may cause known or suspected adverse ecological and/or human health effects even at insignificant levels, covering their presence in the environment and possible management strategies. The text is practice-oriented and evaluates a wide range of technologies for pollutant removal and how to implement them in the field. In Microconstituents in the Environment, readers will find information on: Fundamental ideas regarding microconstituents, including their classification, major sources, and detection methods, and their removal via biological treatment techniques Fate and transport of microconstituents in various environmental domains, including mathematical modeling based on remote sensing techniques Physicochemical treatment techniques for microconstituents, including precipitation, absorption, filtration, membrane separation, and oxidation Sustainability and environmental management, including the regulatory framework and requirements for developing a new field application, plus an outlook on green design concepts With its emphasis on management and remediation, Microconstituents in the Environment is a highly useful one-stop resource on the subject for environmental scientists, modelers, government agencies, and research scientists working in the field of environmental pollution.

Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Sponsored by the Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects Task Committee of the Technical Committee on Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Engineering of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies, and source materials for biodiesel production, as well as socioeconomic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. As industrialization and population increases, the need for energy is also increasing. Petroleum diesel is a major fuel source worldwide that possesses many disadvantages including decreasing fossil fuel reserves and increasing atmospheric pollution. These pollutants have significant negative impacts on the global environment and human health. Thus, it is imperative to develop alternate fuels and renewable sources of energy that are environmentally sustainable, with biodegradability, low toxicity, and renewability and are less reliant on petroleum products. This book presents a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Topics include History, composition, physicochemical properties, and standards; General methods and applications of raw materials; Extraction of lipids from the oil-bearing materials; Nanotechnology and genetic engineering; Conventional methods and use of resins and adsorbents for purification; Management of coproducts; Economic evaluation and environmental impacts; and Socioeconomic and political considerations. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book to be an essential reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production.

Sponsored by the Sustainable Water Resources Management Task Committee of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Sustainable Water Resources Management presents the most current thinking on the environmental, social, and political dimensions of sustainably managing the water supply at local, regional, or basin levels. The twin challenges of ensuring an adequate water supply and the optimal allocation for different uses are compounded by changes in climate, land use, demographic patterns, and water availability. Written by leading experts from around the world, the 33 chapters in this book provide comprehensive information about different aspects of sustainable water resources management. This book reviews various methods of data collection and describes available tools for hydrological modeling, with an emphasis on remote sensing and GIS. Chapters cover the assessment of atmospheric water, surface water and groundwater. Other topics include urban water management, mitigation strategies for droughts and floods, the optimal use of irrigation water, and issues in water reuse. These innovative approaches are highlighted with case studies from California, USA; India; Taiwan; and East Africa. This collection of essays provides readers with comprehensive information on the principles of sustainable water resources management, as well as recent advances, directions for future research, and policy development for sustainable water resources management. As a reference, it will be of interest to students, scientists, engineers, government officials, and water resource managers.

Sponsored by the Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Engineering Committee of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE. Forward Osmosis: Fundamentals and Applications presents the principles and implementation challenges of low-energy desalination technology for producing potable and nonpotable water. In forward osmosis (FO), a saline feed solution passes through a semipermeable membrane toward a draw solution; water then may be separated from the draw solution. Although FO technology has advanced in recent years, much work remains to be done to develop suitable membranes and draw solutions that can easily and efficiently produce drinking water. Written by leading experts from around the world, this book describes the basic concepts of FO technology and discusses modeling and element design. Several different types of draw solution are explored, and recently developed FO membranes are assessed. The physical, chemical, and biological aspects of membrane fouling are examined. A variety of FO applications are explored, including desalination, water reclamation, membrane bioreactors, mining wastewater, fertigation, and landfill leachate. The removal of pollutants, such as emerging contaminants, boron, and heavy metals, is also addressed. Contributors also critically assess the limitations of specific FO technologies and suggest ways of overcoming these limitations. This book on the use of forward osmosis for clean water will be an essential reference for water and environmental engineering practitioners, as well as environmental managers, government officials, and students.

Sponsored by the Carbon Capture and Storage Task Committee of the Technical Committee on Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Engineering of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE. Carbon Capture and Storage: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Methods presents comprehensive information on the principles of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Among the various climate change mitigation strategies currently being explored, CCS technology allows for the continuous use of fossil fuels and provides time to make a changeover to other energy sources in a systematic way. Many factors decide CCS applicability worldwide, such as technical development, overall potential, flow and shift of the technology to developing countries and their capability to apply the technology, regulatory aspects, environmental concerns, public perception, and costs. This book provides in-depth information on the principles of CCS technology, different environmental applications, recent advances, critical analysis of new CCS methods and processes, and directions toward future research and development of CCS technology. Topics include: carbon dioxide sequestration and leakage monitoring, verification, and accounting of carbon dioxide in different settings carbon reuses for a sustainable future applications of CCS for the coal-powered electricity industry carbon dioxide scrubbing processes and applications carbon sequestration via mineral carbonation carbon burial and enhanced soil carbon trapping algae-based carbon capture carbon immobilization enhanced by photosynthesis enzymatic sequestration and biochar technology for CCS carbon sequestration in the ocean modeling of carbon dioxide storage in deep geological formations Engineers, scientists, students, government officers, process managers, and practicing professionals will find this book an essential reference on carbon capture and sequestration technology.

Climate Change Modeling, Mitigation and Adaptation presents the most current thinking on the environmental mechanisms that contribute to global climate change and explores scientifically grounded steps to reduce the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The significant contribution by greenhouse gas emission to global climate change has been well-documented, but efforts to address climate change often focus on technologies that reduce the creation of additional emissions. This narrow focus leaves other important climate change issues unexplored, namely: Can we predict future climate change? Can we do anything to mitigate its effects? Are there strategies to adapt to the new climate realities? Written by leading experts from around the world, these 25 invited chapters provide comprehensive information about the emission of greenhouse gases and climate change. Chapters examine the issues from three standpoints: basic science and vulnerability assessment; modelling and prediction; and reducing or adapting to the negative impacts on humankind and the ecosystem. Topics include: role of greenhouse gas emissions on our ecosystems impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change temperature and precipitation trends influenced by climate change modelling tools to diagnose climate change and identify uncertainty in climate change modelling strategies to mitigate climate change effects Practicing engineers, environmental managers, and government officials will consult this book as an essential guide to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Membrane Technology and Environmental Applications explains the use of membrane materials as a direct, effective, and sustainable way to address environmental problems. Membranes are a core technology for separating material mixtures, such as wastewater and saltwater, and offer significant advantages over other technologies. Membrane technologies are relatively simple in concept and operation, flexible, and compatible with integrated systems in many environments. They can also minimise the use of treatment chemicals, the production of residuals, and energy consumption. This volume provides in-depth technical information on the fundamentals, applications, and recent advances of membrane technology, including state-of-the-art reviews of current research, critical analysis of new processes and materials, and avenues for further study. Chapters examine environmental applications such as treatment of drinking water, wastewater, and industrial wastewater; water reclamation and reuse; desalination; removal of arsenic and emerging contaminants; treatment of greywater and rainwater, and the production of bioproducts from wastewater sludge. New research is described on such topics as membrane fouling, process enhancement, membrane biofilm reactors, nanomaterials, and new separation techniques. Chapters contain extensive illustrations, case studies, summary tables, and up-to-date references. For practicing engineers, environmental and treatment-plant managers, and government officials, this volume is an essential guide for designing and implementing membrane technologies. Educators, graduate and undergraduate students, and researchers involved in environmental engineering and science will find this book to be a valuable learning tool and reference.

Chelating Agents for Land Decontamination Technologies examines the application of chelating agents for the treatment of soil contaminated with metals. Contaminated land remediation is a widespread and costly problem, and the traditional excavation-and-disposal treatment method is not a sustainable solution. Chelating agents (organic compounds that can bind metal ions) are an attractive new technology for land decontamination, because chelating agents enhance metal extraction from contaminated soil or sediment and facilitate metal mobility in subsurface soils. Chapters in this book cover the process fundamentals as well as engineering applications and recent advances for the use of chelating agents in soil washing, soil flushing, phytoremediation, and electrokinetic remediation. They address the application of chelating agents for both ex situ and in situ soil remediation technologies. The extensive use of illustrations and summary tables is combined with up-to-date references. This compilation of engineering applications and research findings for different chelating agent enhanced remediation technologies will be useful to environmental engineers, scientists, and decision makers regarding contaminated land remediation.

Sponsored by the Bioenergy and Biofuel Task Committee of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE. This book is one of the first to provide in-depth technical information on the broad topics of biofuel and bioenergy with extensive illustrations, case studies, summary tables, and up-to-date references. Biofuel and bioenergy produced from biowastes and biomass is a clean energy source that can be produced renewably. The 21 chapters of this book offer state-of-the-art reviews, current research, and technology developments with respect to first-, second-, and third-generation biofuels and bioenergy. The book focuses on the biological/biochemical pathway, as this option has been reported to be the most cost-effective method for biofuel/bioenergy production. The opening chapter gives an overview of the current status of biofuel and bioenergy production. Subsequent chapters cover biomethane production, microbial fuel cells, feedstock production, preprocessing, biomass pretreatment, enzyme hydrolysis, and syngas fermentation. Algal processes for biofuel production, biobutanol production, bioreactor systems, and value-added processing of biofuel residues are included. This book addresses life-cycle analyses of first- and second-generation biofuels (from corn, soybean, jatropha, and cellulosic biomass) and the emerging applications of nanotechnology in biofuel/bioenergy production. Each chapter builds a foundation for the one that follows, and each chapter concludes with current research trends and further research needs. This book will be valuable to researchers, instructors, senior undergraduate and graduate students, decision-makers, professionals, and others interested in the field of biofuel/bioenergy. Praise for This Book This book attempts to provide an in-depth compilation of relevant techincal information on several aspects of biofuel and bioenergy production ... it can serve as a useful quick reference for consulting engineers. Itis also a good introductoryd resources for advanced students, researchers, instructors, decision makers, and professionals in the biofuel and bioenergy field. Recommended. --A.C. Sheth, emeritus, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, December 2010.

Stricter regulations in many countries are increasing interest in sludge management processes which promote sustainability. Engineers and scientists are looking for viable options for resource management through the creation of value added-products from wastewater sludge. The ASCE's Technical Committee on Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management identified the need to collect and present the latest information on recent trends in the bioconversion of sludge to value-added products like biopesticides, biosurfactants, enzymes, bioplastics, and biofertilizers/bioflocculants. The committee envisioned an easy-to-read book to serve as a reference for practicing professionals and as a textbook in undergraduate or graduate courses. ""Sustainable Sludge Management: Production of Value-Added Products"" offers an examination of wastewater sludge characteristics; a road to sustainability by converting sludge into value-added products; and, detailed information on the various types of value-added products being created from sludge. This book will be valuable to undergraduate and graduate students in environmental engineering, educators, researchers, practicing engineers and scientists.

Nanotechnologies, 'the engine of the next Industrial Revolution', represent the new wave of research for chemical and industrial innovation. However, with any new technology or compound, comes the threat of harm to humans and natural ecosystems. Research into the environmental effects, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of nanotechnologies and nanoproducts has never been more important. ""Nanotechnologies for Water Environment Applications"" provides the current status of synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, as well as the environmental effects of nanotechnology. This publication specifically targets the major applications of nanotechnologies in various water environments; issues related to the fate and transport of nanomaterials in aquatic environments; engineered nanomaterials as emerging contaminants in water; the environmental risks, and related management, of nanomaterials. Extensive up-to-date references are provided. This book will be useful to undergraduate and graduate students of engineering, educators, scientists, engineers, government officers, decision makers, process managers, and practicing professionals.

New chemical compounds are constantly being created to meet specific industrial applications and for human uses. Release of these compounds into the environment is inevitable and their contamination of natural resources, as well as their effect on human health, remain an important global ecological concern. Many compounds degrade in the presence of various natural processes, so there is a need to understand whether new compounds will persist in the environment or will eventually break down innocuously. ""Natural Processes and Systems for Hazardous Waste Treatment"" discusses the various natural processes for the attenuation and degradation of hazardous compounds and these processes' application in inexpensive natural systems. Major attenuation processes that are covered include: sorption and sequestration, biodegradation and assimilation processes, photo-processes, phyto-processes, oxidation-reduction, and physical processes. Extensive up-to-date references are presented, as are numerous illustrations, tables, and case studies. This book will serve as a reference for undergraduate or graduate students, as well as for practicing professionals.