Environmental Biotechnology : Fundamentals and Applications
Contents: Preface. 1. Ecology, environment and pollution. 2. Environmental biotechnology and engineering. 3. Biodiversity: the natural biological capital of the earth. 4. Natural resources and their management. 5. Energy resources. 6. Water pollution. 7. Air pollution. 8. Indoor pollution. 9. Soil pollution. 10. Radiation pollution. 11. Biopollution or bioinvasion. 12. Hazardous materials/Hazardous wastes. 13. Noise pollution. 14. Environmental pollution: bioindicators and biological markers. 15. Vermicompost and phoshocompost. 16. Green Technology: biofertilizers. 17. Bioremidation. 18. Green Technology: Phytoremediation. 19. Biomining. 20. Sewage treatment. 21. Green Technology: Xenobiotics. 22. Green Technology: Biosensors, biochips and biosurfactents. 23. Information technology in environment and human health. Subject index.
"Biotechnology, in the recent years, has created unprecedented opportunities, not only for the manipulation of biological systems for the benefit of logical systems for the benefit of mankind but also for undertaking studies to understand the fundamental life processes. Consequently, it has become the world's fastest growing and most rapidly changing technology.
Biotechnology is the third wave in biological sciences and represents such an interface of basic and applied sciences, where gradual and subtle transformation of science into technology can be witnessed. The prokaryotes, eukaryotic algae, glycophytes and halophytes all are likely to contribute in commercially viable future propositions. Biotechnology in the broad sense, however, involves the cloners, the hybridisers and the molecular and cell biologists. It involves the conjoint interaction of two identifiable sub-components; bioscience and biotechnology.
Biotechnology in environmental conservation employs techniques of modern molecular biology to help humankind. Biotechnology will transform the environmental conservation by using microbial enzymes and genetic engineering.
Environmental biotechnology is when biotechnology is applied to and used to study the natural environment. Environmental biotechnology could also imply that one try to harness biological process for commercial uses and exploitation. The International Society of Environmental Biotechnology defines environmental biotechnology as "the development, use and regulation of biological systems for remediation of contaminated environments (land, air, water), and for environment-friendly processes (Green manufacturing technologies and sustainable development)".
The present book is an attempt to provide overall information to the readers interested in Environmental Biotechnology."
