Biological Degradation and Bioremediation of Toxic Chemicals

Preface. Introduction. Catabolic potential of pseudomonads: a regulatory perspective. Genetic systems in soil bacteria for the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls. Selection of enhanced polychlorinated biphenyl-degrading bacterial strains for bioremediation: consideration of branching pathways. Chlorophenol degradation. Microbial metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microbial ecology of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation in coastal sediments. Biodegradation of chlorinated homocyclic and heterocyclic compounds in anaerobic environments. Biodegradation of sulfonated aromatics. The biodegradation of morpholine. Microbial metabolism of carbamate and organophosphate pesticides. Degradation of thiocarbamate herbicides and organophosphorus insecticides by Rhodococcus species. Anaerobic biodegration of chlorinated organic compounds. Biodegradation of low-molecular-weight halogenated organic compounds by aerobic bacteria. Anaerobic utilization of aromatic carboxylates by bacteria. Biodegradation of trichloroethylene in methanotrophic systems and implications for process applications. Properties of lignin-degrading peroxidases and their use in bioremediation. Biological disposal of lignocellulosic wastes and alleviation of their toxic effluents. Biodegradation of toxic chemicals by white rot fungi. Bacterial detoxification of toxic chromate. Degradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds by bacteria: strain development. Hazardous waste cleanup and treatment with encapsulated or entrapped microorganisms. Recent advances in bioprocessing of coal. Microbial desulfurization of coal with emphasis on inorganic sulfur. Index.

The work is, indeed, a milestone in the sue of microorganisms to clean up the environment polluted by human activities. Further research work in this vast area of environmental biotechnology would be of immense importance. The editor and authors have done more than justice to this topic. - International Journal of Environmental Studies