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Among the goals of environmentally sound waste treatment is the
recycling of organic wastes. The most practiced options are
composting and anaerobic digestion, both processes being carried
out by microorganisms. This book provides an overview of the
various ways microbes are doing their job and gives the reader an
impression of their potential. The sixteen chapters of this book
summarize the advantages and disadvantages of treatment processes,
whether they are aerobic like composting or work without oxygen
like anaerobic digestion for biogas (methane) production. These
chapters show the potential of microorganisms to create valuable
resources from otherwise wasted materials. These resources include
profitable organic, humus-like soil conditioners or fertilizer
components which are often suppressive to plant diseases. Composts
may thus improve soil carbon sequestration, or support sustainable
agriculture by reducing the need for mineral fertilizers or
pesticides. If anaerobic digestion is used, the biogas produced may
replace fossil fuels. Thus, proper biological waste treatment with
the help of microorganisms should contribute to a reduction of
anthropogenic greenhouse gas production.
The use of renewable bioenergy is increasing, and so is the
production of associated wastes: biomass ashes. This book presents
eleven chapters on the options for recycling such biomass ashes,
ranging from their use as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry to
their application as a supplement for the production of
cement-based materials or bricks. The book also examines the pros
and cons for each of the different uses of biomass ashes.
Research on decomposer communities of terrestrial ecosystems for a
long time has focussed on microbial biomass and gross turnover
parameters. Recently, more and more attempts are made to look
beyond the biomass, and more specifically determine functions and
populations on a smaller scale-in time and space. A multitude of
techniques is being improved and developed. Garland and Mills
(1991) triggered a series of publications on substrate utilization
tests in the field of microbial ecology. Despite several promising
results for different applications in different laboratories, many
problems concerning the assay and the interpretation of results
became evident. After individual discussions on the approach with
colleagues from various laboratories we started to plan a workshop
on the matter. The response on our first circular was
extraordinary, and instead of a small workshop it became a meeting
with almost 150 participants. The meeting was named 'Substrate use
for characterization of microbial communities in terrestrial
ecosystems' (SUBMECO) and was held in Innsbruck, Austria, from Oct.
16-18, 1996. The very focussed scope attracted enthusiastic
advocates of the approach, and also serious critics. Some of the
topics concerned improvements of current inoculation and incubation
techniques, ranging from sample pre-treatment, inoculum density and
incubation temperature to statistical data handling. New methods
for calculating microbial diversity were proposed, as well as
bootstrap methods that allow statistics with many variables on a
relatively low number of replicates.
The use of renewable bioenergy is increasing, and so is the
production of associated wastes: biomass ashes. This book presents
eleven chapters on the options for recycling such biomass ashes,
ranging from their use as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry to
their application as a supplement for the production of
cement-based materials or bricks. The book also examines the pros
and cons for each of the different uses of biomass ashes.
Composting is increasingly used as a recycling technology for
organic wastes. Knowledge on the composition and activities of
compost microbial communities has so far been based on traditional
methods. New molecular and physiological tools now offer new
insights into the "black box" of decaying material. An unforeseen
diversity of microorganisms are involved in composting, opening up
an enormous potential for future process and product improvements.
In this book, the views of scientists, engineers and end-users on
compost production, process optimisation, standardisation and
product application are presented.
Composting is increasingly used as a recycling technology for organic wastes. Knowledge on the composition and activities of compost microbial communities has so far been based on traditional methods. New molecular and physiological tools now offer new insights into the "black box" of decaying material. An unforeseen diversity of microorganisms are involved in composting, opening up an enormous potential for future process and product improvements. In this book, the views of scientists, engineers and end-users on compost production, process optimisation, standardisation and product application are presented.
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