Environmental Microbiology: Emerging Technologies/ edited by Maulin Shah.

Includes bibliographical references and index.Intro -- Contents -- List of authors by chapter -- 1 Omics approaches for characterization of environmental microorganisms -- 2 Emerging technologies in environmental microbiology -- 3 Pollutants removal using aerobic granular sludge technology -- 4 Biofilm-mediated industrial wastewater treatment -- 5 Photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater treatment -- 6 Biodegradation of organic pollutants by microbial process -- 7 Bauxite residue (red mud): microbial resources and their possible exploitation in remediation and rehabilitation8 Advancements in application of dispersants to oil spills -- 9 Serpentinophytes-associated microbiota: a review of applications in environmental biotechnology -- 10 Microbial desalination cell: a versatile insight towards sustainable contribution -- 11 Control of antibiotic resistance by advanced treatment: recent advances, in a nutshell -- 12 Metal pollutants in the environment -- 13 The language of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria -- Index1 online resource (viii, 344 pages

Biochar: applications for bioremediation of contaminated systems/ edited by Riti Thapar Kapoor, Maulin P. Shah.

1 online resource (1 volume)

Emerging Technologies in Environmental Bioremediation

This book describes the state-of-the-art and possibilities of emerging technologies in environmental bioremediation, and reviews its various areas together with their related issues and implications. Considering the number of problems that define and concretize the field of environmental microbiology or bioremediation, the role of some bioprocesses and biosystems for environmental protection, control, and health based on the utilization of living organisms are analyzed. The book aims to provide a comprehensive view of advanced emerging technologies with environmental approaches for wastewater treatment, heavy metal removal, pesticide degradation, dye removal, waste management, microbial transformation of environmental contaminants, etc. With advancements in the area of environmental bioremediation, researchers are looking for new opportunities to improve quality standards and the environment. Recent technologies have given an impetus to the possibility of using renewable raw materials as a potential source of energy. Cost-intensive and ecofriendly technologies for producing high-quality products and efficient ways to recycle waste to minimize environmental pollution are the needs of hour. The use of bioremediation technologies through microbial communities is another viable option to remediate environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and dyes. Since physicochemical technologies employed in the past have many potential drawbacks including their high cost and low sustainability, efficient biotechnological alternatives to overcome increasing environmental pollution are needed. Hence, environment-friendly technologies that can reduce the pollutants causing adverse hazards to humans and the surrounding environment are required. Environmental remediation, pollution prevention, detection, and monitoring are evaluated by considering the achievements, as well as the future prospects, in the development of biotechnology. Various relevant topics have been chosen to illustrate each of the main areas of environmental biotechnology: wastewater treatment, soil treatment, solid waste treatment, and waste gas treatment, dealing with both microbiological and processengineering aspects. The distinct role of emerging technologies in environmental bioremediation in the future is emphasized by considering the opportunities to contribute to new solutions and directions in the remediation of contaminated environments, as well as minimizing future waste release and creating pollution-preventing alternatives. To take advantage of these opportunities, innovative new strategies, which advance the use of molecular biological methods and genetic engineering technologies, are examined. These methods would improve the understanding of existing biological processes in order to increase their efficiency, productivity, and flexibility. Examples of the development and implementation of such strategies are included. Also, the contributions of environmental biotechnology to the progress of a more sustainable society are revealed

The face mask: A tale from protection to pollution and demanding sustainable solution

The usage of face masks in various sectors of healthcare facilities dates back to years ago. However, the utilization of facial coverings experienced a rapid surge as a result of the escalating rate of COVID-19 infections witnessed across the entire globe. This culminated in an unparalleled inundation of disposed facial coverings within the surrounding ecosystem. This transforms the face mask from a potent protectant into a massive emerging solid plastic waste pollutant with long-term adverse effects on the environment and human health. The utilization of facial coverings on a worldwide scale escalated to an immensely significant 129 billion per month at the onset of the pandemic. Nanomaterial-based technologies have been integrated into mask manufacturing chains to increase performance and provide antiviral characteristics. Nanotechnology encompasses multidisciplinary aspects including artificial intelligence, chemistry, biology, material science, physical science, and medicine. Abridgment of this review aims to make discarded face masks into a sustainable solution to many environmental pollution. In addition, it culminates collaborative and well-conducted trials, done for generating sustainable greener solutions for disposed face masks with the intention that usage of face masks in an environment-friendly manner. Given the preceding, the purpose of this review is to discuss the evolution of discarded face masks from sentinel pathogens to emerging environmental pollutants over time, as well as to comprehend the effect of discarded face masks on the biosphere, human health, and the food chain, by developing scientifically validated strategies to treat discarded face masks for a sustainable future