The rapid thriving of industries, conversion of agricultural land to residential areas, habitat destruction, deforestation and use of recalcitrant synthetic substances enhanced the rate of degradation of the environment. Although there are various conventional techniques for degradation and cleaning of noxious pollutants from disturbed environs, they are energy inefficient and costly to install. Bioremediation has emerged recently as an alternative and novel approach to manage and control environmental pollutants. This volume focuses explicitly on the remediation of noxious substances in stressed environs. It includes expert-contributed chapters on bio-monitoring by way of evaluating the relationship of biota with the polluted/stressed environs, sustainable plant-based degradation of noxious pollutants, and the application of biotechnologies to achieve tailored responses. Academicians, researchers, scientists and students will find this work essential for sustainable treatment of noxious pollutants. This book also serves as a core guide for training, teaching and research in conservation biology and environmental rehabilitation.

An increasing population has put tremendous pressure on agricultural productivity to fulfill the demands of human consumption. Numerous agricultural activities and techniques have been developed to raise annual crop production globally. While agriculture has succeeded in enhancing the yearly crop productivity, this achievement is at the cost of environmental degradation by applying synthetic persistent substances, such as industrial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Chemical fertilizers are nearly as destructive as they are productive, causing monocultures and consequences associated with elimination of diversity, nutrient pollution as evidenced by algae blooms, eutrophication, water quality issues, lower oxygen levels and dangers to fish stocks. Therefore, the scientific approach to maintain sustainable fertility in soil and plants is to switch over to biofertilisers.Biofertilisers are compounds of organic matter that are applied to crops for growth and health. Their constituent micro-organisms interact in an ecofriendly manner with the soil, root and seeds of plants, promoting the growth of micro-flora that enhances soil fertility. They are known to play a number of vital roles in soil fertility, crop productivity and production in agriculture. Application of biofertilisers results in increased mineral and water uptake, root development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation. They liberate growth promoting substances and vitamins and help to maintain soil fertility. They act as antagonists and play a pivotal role in neutralising the soil borne plant pathogens, thereby assisting in the bio-control of diseases. Application of biofertilisers in lieu of synthetic fertilizers could be the promising technique to raise agricultural productivity without degrading the environmental quality. The present book focuses on the latest research approaches and updates from the microbiota ecosystem and their applications in agriculture industry. It also highlights the great potential and possible future of action of microbiota in the development of sustainable agricultural systems.

Healthy environment is important for any kind of biota on earth. It provides the basic elements of life such as clean water, fresh air, fertile soil and supports ecosystem of the food chain. Pollution drastically alters quality of the environment by changing the physico-chemical and biological aspects of these components. Accordingly, toxic metals, combustible and putrescible substances, hazardous wastes, explosives and petroleum products are all examples of inorganic and organic compounds that cause contaminations. Specifically, pollution of toxic and heavy metal in the environment is a growing problem worldwide, currently at an alarming rate. Toxic metals threaten the aquatic ecosystems, agriculture and ultimately human health. Traditional treatment techniques offer certain advantages such as rapid processing, ease of operation and control and flexibility. But, they could not maintain the quality of the environment due to the high operational costs of chemicals used, high energy consumption and handling costs for sludge disposal and overburden of chemical substances which irreversibly affect and destroy biodiversity, which ultimately render the soil useless as a medium for plant growth. Therefore, bioremediation and biotechnology, carried out by living assets to clean up, stabilize and restore contaminated ecosystems, have emerged as promising, environmental friendly and affordable approaches. Furthermore, the use of microbes, algae, transgenic plants and weeds adapted to stressful environments could be employed to enhance accumulation efficiency. Hence, sustainable and inexpensive processes are fast emerging as a viable alternative to conventional remediation methods, and will be most suitable for developing countries. In the current volume, we discuss pollution remediation challenges and how living organisms and the latest biotechnological techniques could be helpful in remediating the pollution in ecofriendly and sustainable ways.

A rapidly growing population, industrialization, modernization, luxury life style, and overall urbanization are associated with the generation of enhanced wastes. The inadequate management of the ever-growing amount of waste has degraded the quality of the natural resources on a regional, state, and country basis, and consequently threatens public health as well as global environmental security. Therefore, there is an existent demand for the improvement of sustainable, efficient, and low-cost technologies to monitor and properly manage the huge quantities of waste and convert these wastes into energy sources. Innovative Waste Management Technologies for Sustainable Development is an essential reference source that discusses management of different types of wastes and provides relevant theoretical frameworks about new waste management technologies for the control of air, water, and soil pollution. This publication also explores the innovative concept of waste-to-energy and its application in safeguarding the environment. Featuring research on topics such as pollution management, vermicomposting, and crude dumping, this book is ideally designed for environmentalists, policymakers, professionals, researchers, scientists, industrialists, and environmental agencies.

This book addresses the grave concerns stemming out due to conventional treatment techniques. The main focus of this book revolves round the central kernel of novel technology (bioremediation and biotechnology) which has emerged as an independent warrior to clean up and restore the disturbed environs. Furthermore, this book is a coherent assortment of diverse chapters relevant to the role of biotechnology and bioremediation for restoration of the ecosystems degraded by pesticide and heavy metal pollution. The inaugural chapters deal with the quantification of problem and its magnitude due to pesticides and heavy metals, followed by innovative modern biotechnological and bioremediation treatment technologies and sustainable techniques to remediate the persistent pollutants. It is a detailed comprehensive account for the treatment technologies from unsustainable to sustainable. Academicians, researchers and students shall find it as a complete wrap up regarding biotechnological intervention for sustainable treatment of pollution and shall suffice for the diverse needs of teaching and research.

Phytoremediation: Biotechnological Strategies for Promoting Invigorating Environs focuses on phytoremediation's history, present and future potential, discussing mechanisms of remediation, different types of pollutant and polluted environs, cell signaling, biotechnology, and molecular biology, including site-directed DNA and the omics related to plant sciences. Sections focus on phytoremediation as an economically feasible and environmentally safe strategy, including its mechanisms from macroscopic to microscopic level, strategies of assisted phytoremediation, the role of omics on innovations on the field, the development of genetically modified plants (GMPs) to deal with pollutants, the future prospects of targeted genetic engineering in phytoremediation and remediation advantages and disadvantages. Other sections in the book explore the phytoremediation of specific environs (water and soil) and specific contaminants that are of major worldwide concern.

The dependence of present farming on artificial input of "chemical fertilizers" has caused numerous ecological tribulations associated with global warming and soil contamination. Moreover, there is an essential requirement for realistic agricultural practices on a comprehensive level. Accordingly, biofertilizers including microbes have been recommended as feasible environmentally sound solutions for agricultural practices which not only are natural, and cost-effective but also preserve soil environs and important biota of agricultural land. In addition, it enhances the nutrient quantity of soils organically. Microbial biofertilizers promote plant growth by escalating proficient absorption of nutrients for the plants and by providing an excellent disease-fighting mechanism.Agriculture, the backbone of human sustenance, has been put under tremendous pressure by the ever-increasing human population. Although various modern agro-techniques boosted agricultural production, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides have proven extremely detrimental to agriculture as well as to the environment in which it is carried out. Besides this some faulty agricultural practices like monoculture and defective irrigation, further complicate the scenario by eliminating biodiversity, increasing the efflux of nutrients into the water bodies, the formation of algal blooms, eutrophication, damaging the water quality and lowering fish stocks. Biofertilizers are the organic compounds applied to crops for their sustainable growth and the sustainability of the environment as the microbiota associated with biofertilizers interact with the soil, roots and seeds to enhance soil fertility. Application of biofertilizers results in the increased mineral and water uptake, root development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation besides liberating growth-promoting substances and minerals that help the maintenance of soil fertility. They further act as antagonists and play a pivotal role in neutralising soil-borne plant pathogens and thus, help in the bio-control of diseases. Application of biofertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers could be a promising technique to raise agricultural productivity without degrading environmental quality. The present book focuses on the latest research approaches and updates from the microbiota and their applications in the agriculture industry. We believe this book addresses various challenges and shed lights on the possible future of the sustainable agricultural system.

Provides an overview of the chemical nature and mechanisms of endocrine disruptors Discusses the sources of endocrine toxicants Assesses the impact of endocrine toxicants on a sustainable environment Looks at endocrine toxicants and their effect on human health, such as on thyroid glands, on human reproduction, etc.

This volume discusses how plant and algae organisms play a pivotal role in the transformation of solar energy to essential metabolites, and explores the numerous beneficial roles these metabolites have at an industrial level. It presents information on the utilization of plant and algae for biomass production, and shows how this is a practical option for large scale biofuel production. The book examines how these bio-metabolites can then be used to extract biofuel. Biomass produced from plants and algae can act as the source of feedstock for biofuel production and industrially important compounds. This book also explores that by curtailing culturing cost using wastewater, seawater, and industrial water as a nutrient and water source, biomass becomes an economical energy source. The introductory chapters of the book focus on the appreciative values of a pollution-free atmosphere, with special reference to enhanced greenhouse effect, and then are followed by chapters on the potential of plant and algae as a liquid energy resource. This book targets researchers, graduate students, and energy and fuel industry professionals interested in the plant sciences, biotechnology and renewable energy.

Toxic substances threatens aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and ultimately human health. The book is a thoughtful effort in bringing forth the role of biotechnology for bioremediation and restoration of the ecosystems degraded by toxic and heavy metal pollution. The introductory chapters of the book deal with the understanding of the issues concerned with the pollution caused by toxic elements and heavy metals and their impacts on the different ecosystems followed by the techniques involved in monitoring of the pollution. These techniques include use of bio-indicators as well as modern techniques for the assessment and monitoring of toxicants in the environment. Detailed chapters discussing the role of microbial biota, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants to enhance the accumulation efficiency of these toxic and heavy metals are followed by remediation techniques involving myco-remediation, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, phyto-remediation and rhizo-filtration. A sizable portion of the book has been dedicated to the advanced bio-remediation techniques which are finding their way from the laboratory to the field for revival of the degraded ecosystems. These involve bio-films, micro-algae, genetically modified plants and filter feeders. Furthermore, the book is a detailed comprehensive account for the treatment technologies from unsustainable to sustainable. We believe academicians, researchers and students will find this book informative as a complete reference for biotechnological intervention for sustainable treatment of pollution.

This new volume presents informative research on the different aspects of employing nanotechnology for environmental pollution decontamination, highlighting the main tools, methods, and approaches for contaminants detection and remediation. The book takes a biotechnological point of view that considers the main environmental pollutants; the safety and economic aspects of nanoremediation, nanosensors and nanobiosensors for the detection of pollutants; and strategies to promote nanoremediation and nanobioremediation. The chapters offer a comprehensive overview of nanotechnologic strategies as essential tools to restore polluted environments and to make more feasible and harmonic the pathway to sustainable development. The volume also discusses the use of sensors to detect pollutants and to monitor the quality of environmental restoration. Topics include nanozymes; organic and inorganic pollutants threatening human health; different types of carbon-based and non-carbon-based nanomaterials in nanosensors and nanobiosensors to detect environmental pollution; nanomaterials that specifically deal with water, soil, or air pollution; and assisted nanoremediation promoted by plants (nanophytoremediation) or microorganisms (for example, mycorrhizal fungus) that promote in situ nano-phyto-mycorrhizo-remediation. Also addressed are aspects related to a macroperspective of nanoremediation that highlight the economic aspects related to nanotechnology, the safety aspects of the use of nanomaterials, and the sustainability aspects related to the use of nanomaterials in strategies of environmental restoration. Nanotechnology for Environmental Pollution Decontamination: Tools, Methods, and Approaches for Detection and Remediation offers extensive and comprehensive knowledge on nanotechnology applied to pollution detection and remediation, assisted or not by biological strategies.

Microbial bioremediation and biodegradation in environmental monitoring offers an environmentally friendly approach for the monitoring and effective removal of contaminants. Various aspects of microbial-mediated bioremediation take advantage of the microorganisms' ability to transform noxious compounds into utilizable intermediates and value-added products. Different microbial metabolites such as enzymes, biosurfactants, emulsifiers, organic acids, and solvents play significant roles in the decontamination of radioactive and heavy metals, chemical pesticides, and organic contaminants such as dyes and hydrocarbons in environmentally safe manners. Recent advancements in biochemical engineering, OMICS and genetic modification, and synthetic-biology pave ways for identifying indicator microbial strains, mechanisms of remediation, and the development of tailor-made microbe-metabolites for future applications. Microbial biotechnology in environmental monitoring and bioremediation thus represent a new way to rehabilitate and reconstruct "damaged" ecosystems.This work summarizes the latest research in the field of environmental bioremediation and offers fascinating insights on the behaviours of these unique microorganisms. It also presents exciting, new perspectives for the application of microbes in environmental protection. It is suitable for students, scholars, researchers and organizations involved in environmental protection.

Taking into consideration that the agricultural industry is greatly dependent on pesticide chemicals to deal with the damage caused due to pests, this new volume details the challenges along with the bioremediation and remediation measures, such as the use of beneficial microorganisms, polymeric nanocomposites for nanoremediation, phytoremediation, and more. It looks at pesticide contamination from agricultural activities in a variety of different environs and a selection of sustainable and eco-friendly remediation approaches. It provides a spectrum of concepts, ideas, and knowledge related to the detrimental actions of pesticides on the environment directly and on human beings indirectly and provides insight into sustainable and advanced pesticide remediation technology. It fills a gap in the available literature in this field and will provide valuable for academicians, researchers, agriculturists, and students.

This volume focuses on tackling the harmful impact of agricultural waste with the use of sustainable practices, bio-techniques, and new technologies that either make use of the waste as a raw material or convert the waste into a useful resource that can help achieve environmental sustainability. The agriculture sector is one of the major producers of waste around the world. These wastes are produced at various stages of the various processes in the agricultural industry. Agricultural practices such as mechanical tillage, mono-cropping, application of agro-chemicals, irrigation with waste and industrial waters affect soil health and productivity. The resulting agricultural wastes can have a deleterious impact on the different components of the environment, resulting in harmful problems that pose a huge risk to ecological stability. The book investigates the sources and impacts of agri-waste on the environment and goes on to offer effective techniques, processes, and sustainable practices that can be implemented for effective agricultural waste management. Chapters also discuss a selection of innovative engineering-based technologies. The volume includes discussions of many remediation techniques, such as the use of biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, vermicomposting, green chemistry, microbial interventions, and more. The book explores the various uses of agri-waste with special emphasis on their applications in the plant-soil system. This book is a valuable reference source for academicians, professionals, researchers, students, and policymakers who are interested in the innovative management of the agricultural waste.

Authoritative resource presenting techniques and technologies to sustainably neutralize environmental contamination in aquatic plants, microorganisms, and more Two thirds of the Earth is covered with aquatic habitats that play a key role in stabilizing the global environment and providing a wide variety of services to increasing human needs. Nevertheless, anthropogenic activities are rapidly destroying the quality of both fresh and marine waters globally, due to excessive use of chemicals, fertilizers and pollution from suburban and industrial areas eventually making their way into the aquatic world. Aquatic Contamination: Tolerance and Bioremediation presents the broader spectrum of biological applicability of microbes with better understanding of cellular mechanisms for remediation of aquatic contaminants. The book also focuses on practices involved in molecular and genetic approaches, necessary to achieve targets of bioremediation and phytoremediation to solve global water contamination problems. Such approaches pave the way for the utilization of biological assets to design new, efficient, and environmentally sound remediation strategies by inculcating genomic techniques at cellular and molecular levels with model assessment. Aquatic Contamination provides a comprehensive background for readers interested in all perspectives of the contamination of aquatic environs. It covers various research aspects which are being carried out globally to understand simulation models in the assessment of xenobiotics, role of genomics, transgenic plants, and microbial enzymes for degradation and removal of toxic substances in aquatic environs. Key features include: Extensive coverage of interactions between plant, metals and microbes including the influence of biotic and abiotic factors Comprehensive discussion of the details of molecular mechanisms from assimilation to detoxification levels Exploration of the enzymatic approaches of potential plants acting as hyper-accumulators for contaminants in aquatic environs Details of sustainable tools such as transgenic plants for the manipulation of important functional microbial genes to achieve higher certainty of bioremediation Details of advances in tools and models like micro-arrays and simulation models for the complete assessment of xenobiotic compounds from cellular to degradation hierarchies Aquatic Contamination: Tolerance and Bioremediation will be substantially helpful to environmentalists, microbiologists, biotechnologists and scientists, providing essential information on various modern technologies for the remediation of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.

Freshwater is a finite resource and is being deteriorated directly and indirectly by anthropogenic pressures. Preserving the quality and availability of freshwater resources is becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges on the international horizon. To ensure the preservation as well as availability of freshwater resources, there is a need to understand the ecology of the freshwater systems, pollution problems, their impacts, restoration techniques to be opted and the conservation measures. In this backdrop the present book on 'Freshwater Pollution Dynamics and Remediation' has been compiled. The book provides an understanding about the present state of art, pollution impacts including the changes in the environmental quality as well as the shift in the aquatic biological communities of the fragile freshwater ecosystems. Besides, the impact of deteriorating quality of the freshwater ecosystems on the animal and human health is also discussed in detail. This book provides a comprehensive account of the techniques based on updated research in biotechnology, bio-remediation, phyto-remediation and nano-bioremediation. The role of biosorpers and biofilms as a remediation tool has also been detailed. The book is a ready reference for researchers, scientists and educators who are involved in the freshwater pollution, remediation and management studies. The book editors with an expertise in diverse research fields in freshwater ecosystems have congregated the most inclusive research accounts on the freshwater pollution and remediation and thus developed a repository of diverse knowledge on the subject

An increasing population has put tremendous pressure on agricultural productivity to fulfill the demands of human consumption. Numerous agricultural activities and techniques have been developed to raise annual crop production globally. While agriculture has succeeded in enhancing the yearly crop productivity, this achievement is at the cost of environmental degradation by applying synthetic persistent substances, such as industrial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Chemical fertilizers are nearly as destructive as they are productive, causing monocultures and consequences associated with elimination of diversity, nutrient pollution as evidenced by algae blooms, eutrophication, water quality issues, lower oxygen levels and dangers to fish stocks. Therefore, the scientific approach to maintain sustainable fertility in soil and plants is to switch over to biofertilisers.Biofertilisers are compounds of organic matter that are applied to crops for growth and health. Their constituent micro-organisms interact in an ecofriendly manner with the soil, root and seeds of plants, promoting the growth of micro-flora that enhances soil fertility. They are known to play a number of vital roles in soil fertility, crop productivity and production in agriculture. Application of biofertilisers results in increased mineral and water uptake, root development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation. They liberate growth promoting substances and vitamins and help to maintain soil fertility. They act as antagonists and play a pivotal role in neutralising the soil borne plant pathogens, thereby assisting in the bio-control of diseases. Application of biofertilisers in lieu of synthetic fertilizers could be the promising technique to raise agricultural productivity without degrading the environmental quality. The present book focuses on the latest research approaches and updates from the microbiota ecosystem and their applications in agriculture industry. It also highlights the great potential and possible future of action of microbiota in the development of sustainable agricultural systems.

Taking into consideration that the agricultural industry is greatly dependent on pesticide chemicals to deal with the damage caused due to pests, this new volume details the challenges along with the bioremediation and remediation measures, such as the use of beneficial microorganisms, polymeric nanocomposites for nanoremediation, phytoremediation, and more. It looks at pesticide contamination from agricultural activities in a variety of different environs and a selection of sustainable and eco-friendly remediation approaches. It provides a spectrum of concepts, ideas, and knowledge related to the detrimental actions of pesticides on the environment directly and on human beings indirectly and provides insight into sustainable and advanced pesticide remediation technology. It fills a gap in the available literature in this field and will provide valuable for academicians, researchers, agriculturists, and students.

The rapid thriving of industries, conversion of agricultural land to residential areas, habitat destruction, deforestation and use of recalcitrant synthetic substances enhanced the rate of degradation of the environment. Although there are various conventional techniques for degradation and cleaning of noxious pollutants from disturbed environs, they are energy inefficient and costly to install. Bioremediation has emerged recently as an alternative and novel approach to manage and control environmental pollutants. This volume focuses explicitly on the remediation of noxious substances in stressed environs. It includes expert-contributed chapters on bio-monitoring by way of evaluating the relationship of biota with the polluted/stressed environs, sustainable plant-based degradation of noxious pollutants, and the application of biotechnologies to achieve tailored responses. Academicians, researchers, scientists and students will find this work essential for sustainable treatment of noxious pollutants. This book also serves as a core guide for training, teaching and research in conservation biology and environmental rehabilitation.

This volume focuses on tackling the harmful impact of agricultural waste with the use of sustainable practices, bio-techniques, and new technologies that either make use of the waste as a raw material or convert the waste into a useful resource that can help achieve environmental sustainability. The agriculture sector is one of the major producers of waste around the world. These wastes are produced at various stages of the various processes in the agricultural industry. Agricultural practices such as mechanical tillage, mono-cropping, application of agro-chemicals, irrigation with waste and industrial waters affect soil health and productivity. The resulting agricultural wastes can have a deleterious impact on the different components of the environment, resulting in harmful problems that pose a huge risk to ecological stability. The book investigates the sources and impacts of agri-waste on the environment and goes on to offer effective techniques, processes, and sustainable practices that can be implemented for effective agricultural waste management. Chapters also discuss a selection of innovative engineering-based technologies. The volume includes discussions of many remediation techniques, such as the use of biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, vermicomposting, green chemistry, microbial interventions, and more. The book explores the various uses of agri-waste with special emphasis on their applications in the plant-soil system. This book is a valuable reference source for academicians, professionals, researchers, students, and policymakers who are interested in the innovative management of the agricultural waste.

Healthy environment is important for any kind of biota on earth. It provides the basic elements of life such as clean water, fresh air, fertile soil and supports ecosystem of the food chain. Pollution drastically alters quality of the environment by changing the physico-chemical and biological aspects of these components. Accordingly, toxic metals, combustible and putrescible substances, hazardous wastes, explosives and petroleum products are all examples of inorganic and organic compounds that cause contaminations. Specifically, pollution of toxic and heavy metal in the environment is a growing problem worldwide, currently at an alarming rate. Toxic metals threaten the aquatic ecosystems, agriculture and ultimately human health. Traditional treatment techniques offer certain advantages such as rapid processing, ease of operation and control and flexibility. But, they could not maintain the quality of the environment due to the high operational costs of chemicals used, high energy consumption and handling costs for sludge disposal and overburden of chemical substances which irreversibly affect and destroy biodiversity, which ultimately render the soil useless as a medium for plant growth. Therefore, bioremediation and biotechnology, carried out by living assets to clean up, stabilize and restore contaminated ecosystems, have emerged as promising, environmental friendly and affordable approaches. Furthermore, the use of microbes, algae, transgenic plants and weeds adapted to stressful environments could be employed to enhance accumulation efficiency. Hence, sustainable and inexpensive processes are fast emerging as a viable alternative to conventional remediation methods, and will be most suitable for developing countries. In the current volume, we discuss pollution remediation challenges and how living organisms and the latest biotechnological techniques could be helpful in remediating the pollution in ecofriendly and sustainable ways.

This book addresses the grave concerns stemming out due to conventional treatment techniques. The main focus of this book revolves round the central kernel of novel technology (bioremediation and biotechnology) which has emerged as an independent warrior to clean up and restore the disturbed environs. Furthermore, this book is a coherent assortment of diverse chapters relevant to the role of biotechnology and bioremediation for restoration of the ecosystems degraded by pesticide and heavy metal pollution. The inaugural chapters deal with the quantification of problem and its magnitude due to pesticides and heavy metals, followed by innovative modern biotechnological and bioremediation treatment technologies and sustainable techniques to remediate the persistent pollutants. It is a detailed comprehensive account for the treatment technologies from unsustainable to sustainable. Academicians, researchers and students shall find it as a complete wrap up regarding biotechnological intervention for sustainable treatment of pollution and shall suffice for the diverse needs of teaching and research.

Toxic substances threatens aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and ultimately human health. The book is a thoughtful effort in bringing forth the role of biotechnology for bioremediation and restoration of the ecosystems degraded by toxic and heavy metal pollution. The introductory chapters of the book deal with the understanding of the issues concerned with the pollution caused by toxic elements and heavy metals and their impacts on the different ecosystems followed by the techniques involved in monitoring of the pollution. These techniques include use of bio-indicators as well as modern techniques for the assessment and monitoring of toxicants in the environment. Detailed chapters discussing the role of microbial biota, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants to enhance the accumulation efficiency of these toxic and heavy metals are followed by remediation techniques involving myco-remediation, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, phyto-remediation and rhizo-filtration. A sizable portion of the book has been dedicated to the advanced bio-remediation techniques which are finding their way from the laboratory to the field for revival of the degraded ecosystems. These involve bio-films, micro-algae, genetically modified plants and filter feeders. Furthermore, the book is a detailed comprehensive account for the treatment technologies from unsustainable to sustainable. We believe academicians, researchers and students will find this book informative as a complete reference for biotechnological intervention for sustainable treatment of pollution.

Freshwater is a finite resource and is being deteriorated directly and indirectly by anthropogenic pressures. Preserving the quality and availability of freshwater resources is becoming one of the most pressing environmental challenges on the international horizon. To ensure the preservation as well as availability of freshwater resources, there is a need to understand the ecology of the freshwater systems, pollution problems, their impacts, restoration techniques to be opted and the conservation measures. In this backdrop the present book on 'Freshwater Pollution Dynamics and Remediation' has been compiled. The book provides an understanding about the present state of art, pollution impacts including the changes in the environmental quality as well as the shift in the aquatic biological communities of the fragile freshwater ecosystems. Besides, the impact of deteriorating quality of the freshwater ecosystems on the animal and human health is also discussed in detail. This book provides a comprehensive account of the techniques based on updated research in biotechnology, bio-remediation, phyto-remediation and nano-bioremediation. The role of biosorpers and biofilms as a remediation tool has also been detailed. The book is a ready reference for researchers, scientists and educators who are involved in the freshwater pollution, remediation and management studies. The book editors with an expertise in diverse research fields in freshwater ecosystems have congregated the most inclusive research accounts on the freshwater pollution and remediation and thus developed a repository of diverse knowledge on the subject

The dependence of present farming on artificial input of "chemical fertilizers" has caused numerous ecological tribulations associated with global warming and soil contamination. Moreover, there is an essential requirement for realistic agricultural practices on a comprehensive level. Accordingly, biofertilizers including microbes have been recommended as feasible environmentally sound solutions for agricultural practices which not only are natural, and cost-effective but also preserve soil environs and important biota of agricultural land. In addition, it enhances the nutrient quantity of soils organically. Microbial biofertilizers promote plant growth by escalating proficient absorption of nutrients for the plants and by providing an excellent disease-fighting mechanism.Agriculture, the backbone of human sustenance, has been put under tremendous pressure by the ever-increasing human population. Although various modern agro-techniques boosted agricultural production, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides have proven extremely detrimental to agriculture as well as to the environment in which it is carried out. Besides this some faulty agricultural practices like monoculture and defective irrigation, further complicate the scenario by eliminating biodiversity, increasing the efflux of nutrients into the water bodies, the formation of algal blooms, eutrophication, damaging the water quality and lowering fish stocks. Biofertilizers are the organic compounds applied to crops for their sustainable growth and the sustainability of the environment as the microbiota associated with biofertilizers interact with the soil, roots and seeds to enhance soil fertility. Application of biofertilizers results in the increased mineral and water uptake, root development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation besides liberating growth-promoting substances and minerals that help the maintenance of soil fertility. They further act as antagonists and play a pivotal role in neutralising soil-borne plant pathogens and thus, help in the bio-control of diseases. Application of biofertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers could be a promising technique to raise agricultural productivity without degrading environmental quality. The present book focuses on the latest research approaches and updates from the microbiota and their applications in the agriculture industry. We believe this book addresses various challenges and shed lights on the possible future of the sustainable agricultural system.