Biotechnology for Environmental Protection

Contents
Editors and Contributors
1: Environmental Pollutants: Metal(loid)s and Radionuclides
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Mining and Environmental Impact
1.2 The Occurrence of Selected Metal(loid)s
1.2.1 Cadmium, Chromium, Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury
1.2.1.1 Effect of Metal(loid)s on Environmental and Human Health
1.2.2 Radioactive Pollutants
1.2.2.1 Uranium, Strontium-90, and Cesium-120
1.2.2.2 Sources and Transport of Radioactive Pollutants
1.2.2.3 Nuclear Power Plants
1.2.2.4 Radioactive Elements in Medical Applications
1.2.2.5 Effect of Radionuclides on Environmental and Human Health
1.3 Bioremediation of Metal(loid)s and Radionuclides
1.3.1 Biosorption
1.3.2 Mycoremediation
1.3.3 Phycoremediation
1.3.4 Microbial Bioremediation
1.3.5 Biopolymers and Biofilms for Toxic Metal Removal
1.4 Conclusion
References
2: Environmental Pollutants: Organic and Emerging Contaminants
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Organic Pollutants
2.2.1 Hydrocarbons and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
2.2.2 Chlorinated Compounds
2.2.3 Petroleum Hydrocarbons
2.2.4 Fertilizer and Pesticides
2.2.5 Explosives
2.3 Effect of Organic Contaminants on Environment and Health
2.4 Emerging Contaminants
2.4.1 Polyfluorinated Compounds
2.4.2 Pharmaceutically Active Compounds
2.5 Effect of Emerging Contaminant on Environment and Health
2.6 Conclusion
References
3: Biosorption, Bioaccumulation and Biodegradation: A Sustainable Approach for Management of Environmental Contaminants
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Probable Candidates for Sustainable Managements of Environmental Contaminants
3.3 Biosorption
3.3.1 Mechanism of Action
3.3.2 Case Studies
3.4 Bioaccumulation
3.4.1 Mechanism of Action
3.4.2 Case Studies
3.5 Biodegradation
3.5.1 Mechanism of Action
3.5.2 Case Study
3.6 The Choice of Sustainable Approaches of Environmental Contaminants
3.7 Conclusion and Future Prospects
References
4: Bioremediation Technologies for the Treatment of Water Contaminated by Organic and Inorganic Contaminants
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Description of Organic Contaminants
4.2.1 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
4.2.2 Petroleum Hydrocarbons
4.2.3 Azo Dyes
4.2.4 Chlorinated Solvents
4.2.5 Emerging Organic Contaminants
4.2.5.1 Pharmaceuticals
4.2.5.2 Personal Care Products
4.2.5.3 Steroidal Hormones
4.2.5.4 Pesticides
4.3 Description of Inorganic Contaminants
4.3.1 Metal(loid)s
4.3.2 Radionuclides
4.4 Biotechnology Applications
4.4.1 Bioremediation
4.4.1.1 Microbial Remediation
4.4.1.2 Mycoremediation
4.4.1.3 Phycoremediation
4.4.1.4 Phytoremediation
4.5 Constructed Wetlands
4.5.1 Design and Types of CWs
4.5.2 Removal Mechanisms of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in CWs
4.5.3 Performance of CWs for Organic Contaminants´ Removal
4.5.3.1 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
4.5.3.2 Petroleum Hydrocarbons
4.5.3.3 Azo Dyes
4.5.3.4 Chlorinated Solvents
4.5.3.5 Pharmaceuticals
4.5.3.6 Personal Care Products
4.5.3.7 Steroidal Hormones
4.5.3.8 Pesticides
4.5.4 Performance of CWs for Inorganic Contaminants´ Removal
4.5.5 Effect of Artificial Aeration (AA) on the Performance of CWs
4.6 Conclusions
References
5: Biological Treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Odorous Compounds
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
5.1.2 Classification of VOCs
5.1.2.1 On the Basis of Boiling Points
5.1.2.2 On the Basis of Sources
5.1.3 Effects of VOCs on Humans
5.1.4 Effects of VOCs on Environment
5.1.5 Odor Compounds
5.1.6 Sources of Odor Compounds
5.1.7 Effect of Odorous Compounds
5.1.8 Common Removal Methods
5.1.9 Why Biological Methods?
5.2 Biological Methods
5.2.1 Biofilters
5.2.1.1 Biofilm Formation in Biofilters
5.2.2 Biotrickling Filtration (BTF) Reactors
5.2.2.1 Factors Affecting the Performance of BTF
5.2.3 Bioscrubber Reactors
5.2.3.1 Bioscrubber Operation Principle
5.2.3.2 Applications of Bioscrubbers
5.2.4 Membrane-Based Reactors (MBRs)
5.2.4.1 Mechanism of Membrane-Based Biological Waste Gas Treatment
5.2.4.2 Membrane Materials
5.2.4.3 Membrane Fabrication Methods
5.2.4.4 Issues Related to the MBR Separation Process
5.2.4.5 Types of MBR and Novel Configurations
Aerobic and Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR)
Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactor (AFMBR)
Membrane Photobioreactor (MPBR)
Membrane Bioreactor Integrated with Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC-MBR)
5.2.5 Other Bioreactor Configurations
5.2.5.1 Rotating Drum BF
5.2.5.2 Rotating Rope Bioreactor (RRB)
5.2.5.3 Foamed Emulsion Bioreactor
5.2.5.4 Rotating Biological Contactors
5.2.5.5 Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors
5.3 Conclusion
References
6: Biological Treatment of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
6.1.2 Sources of ECDs in the Environment
6.1.3 Effects of EDCs on the Living Beings When They Expose to EDCs
6.1.4 Fate and Transport of EDCs in the Environment
6.2 EDCs Degrading Microbes and Their Bioremediation Mechanisms
6.2.1 Degradation of EDCs by Bacteria
6.2.2 Fungal Degradation of EDCs
6.2.3 Degradation of EDCs by Microalgae
6.2.4 Bioremediation of Metallic EDCs from Microorganisms
6.3 Future Directions
References
7: Biological Treatment of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Issues Related to the Presence of PPCPs in Wastewater Streams
7.3 Existing Physicochemical Techniques
7.3.1 Physical Adsorption Processes to Remove PPCPs
7.3.1.1 Adsorption
Activated Carbon
Graphene and Graphene Oxide
Carbon Nanotubes
7.3.1.2 Coagulative Precipitation
7.3.1.3 Flotation
7.3.1.4 Membrane Separation
7.3.2 Advanced Chemical Oxidation
7.3.2.1 Ozonation
7.3.2.2 Fenton Oxidation
7.3.2.3 UV Treatment
7.3.2.4 Ionizing Radiation
7.4 Biological Treatment: Introduction
7.4.1 Aerobic Biological Treatment
7.4.1.1 Activated Sludge Process (ASP)
7.4.1.2 Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
7.4.1.3 Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
7.4.2 Natural Aerobic Treatment
7.4.2.1 Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSPs)
7.4.2.2 Constructed Wetlands (CW)
7.4.2.3 Microbial Cultures
7.4.3 Anaerobic Removal Technologies
7.4.3.1 Bench-Scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB)
7.4.3.2 Upflow Anaerobic Stage Reactors (UASRs)
7.5 Future Prospects and Conclusion
References
8: Genetic Engineering Strategies and Degradation of Pollutants Using Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs)
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Molecular Approaches in Bioremediation
8.2.1 Rhizoremediation
8.2.2 Protein Engineering
8.2.3 Metabolic Engineering
8.2.4 Whole Transcriptome Profiling
8.2.5 Proteomics
8.3 Metagenomics
8.3.1 Approaches of Metagenomics in Bioremediation
8.3.2 Types of Metagenomic Studies Used in Bioremediation
8.4 Transcriptomics
8.4.1 Transcriptomics in Bioremediation
8.5 Proteomics
8.5.1 Application of Proteomics in Bioremediation
8.6 GEMs for Enhanced Bioremediation
8.6.1 GEMs in Bioremediation
8.6.2 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals
8.6.2.1 Sources and Health Hazards of Heavy Metals
8.6.2.2 Bioremediation by Adsorption with the Help of Microorganisms
8.6.2.3 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals by Genetically Engineered Microorganisms
8.6.2.4 Biodegradation of Organic Pollutants
Physical Processes
Chemical Processes
Biological Processes
8.7 Advantage of Microorganisms for Organic Pollutant Bioremediation
8.8 Conclusion
References
9: Biogenic Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Its Application in Wastewater Treatment
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 Advantages of Biogenic Synthesis of Nanoparticles
9.2 Approaches for the Synthesis of Nanoparticles
9.2.1 Ways to Synthesize Biogenic Nanoparticles from Microbial Sources
9.2.2 Synthesis of Biogenic Nanoparticles from Various Sources
9.2.2.1 From Bacteria
9.2.2.2 From Fungi
9.2.2.3 From Actinomycete
9.2.2.4 From Algae
9.2.2.5 From Yeast
9.3 Various Parameters Affecting Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles
9.4 Application of Biogenic Nanoparticles in Wastewater Treatment
9.4.1 Biosorption of Pollutants
9.4.2 Catalytic Applications of Biogenic NPs
9.5 Conclusions
References
10: Biotechnological Approach for Treatment of Sludge from Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Sludge Classification
10.3 Sludge Stabilization
10.3.1 Anaerobic Digestion
10.3.2 Hydrolysis
10.3.3 Acidogenesis
10.3.4 Acetogenesis
10.3.5 Methanogenesis
10.4 Advantages of Anaerobic Digestion Process
10.5 Importance of Biological Pre-treatment of Sludge
10.5.1 Biological Pre-treatment
10.5.2 Enzymatic Pre-treatment
10.5.3 Biohydrogen Production from Sludge
10.6 Factors Influencing Biohydrogen Production by Dark Fermentation
10.6.1 Substrate for Dark Fermentation
10.6.2 Mixed Cultures for Biohydrogen Production
10.6.3 Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)
10.6.4 pH
10.6.5 Temperature
10.7 Co-digestion
10.8 Biohydrogen Applications
10.9 Biopolyester (PHA)
10.10 Conclusion
References
11: Microwave-Assisted Chemically Modified Biochar for the Sequestration of Emerging Contaminants
11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 Biomass as a Feedstock
11.1.2 Biochar Definition
11.1.2.1 Production of Biochar Using Thermochemical Processes
Slow and Fast Pyrolysis
Torrefaction
Gasification
Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC)
11.1.2.2 Physical and Chemical Characterization of Wood Biochar
Surface Area
Chemical Characterization
Elemental Composition and pH
11.1.2.3 Factors Affecting Biochar Properties
Types of Wood
Carbonization Temperature
Residence Time
Pre-treatment of Biomass
11.1.2.4 Characterization of Biochar
11.1.2.5 Biochar and Bioenergy Production Process During Pyrolysis
Microwave Pyrolysis and Traditional Biomass Pyrolysis
11.1.2.6 Modification of Biochar
Physical Modification
Steam Activation
Gas Purging
Chemical Modification
Acid/Base Modification
Functional Group Modification
Impregnation with Mineral Oxides
11.1.2.7 Applications of Biochar
Biochar Application in Water and Wastewater Treatment
Remediation of Organic Contaminants in Water
Remediation of Inorganic Contaminants in Water
11.2 Conclusions and Future Work
References