Environmental Biotechnology and Cleaner Bioprocesses

Description

As we enter a new millennium, the environmental issues faced by both developing and industrialised nations are as pressing as ever. Environmental biotechnologies are increasingly being viewed as a major weapon against environmental damage. Cleaner production is part of this strategy and yet there is still widespread ignorance about this emerging technology. Environmental Biotechnology and Cleaner Bioprocesses provides this information at various levels, from introductory to advanced. The first section covers the development of cleaner bioprocesses within the framework of sustainable development. Aspects of environmental policy for small and medium businesses are then discussed using case studies to illustrate principles. The second section covers the recycling and treatment of organic waste, including the use of aquatic plants and microalgae for wastewater treatment and recovery of nutrients. Section three covers bioremediation technologies and finally, section four is dedicated to emerging cleaner bioprocesses and environmentally sound products. All chapters have been written and edited by leading authorities in the field. Students and professionals interested in environmental biotechnology and cleaner production will find the background information and detail they require in this one convenient source. Cover Half Title Title page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Contributors Foreword Preface Part One: General Aspects and Case Studies 1 Cleaner Bioprocesses and Sustainable Development 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Cleaner Bioprocesses 1.3 The Five R Policies 1.4 The Growth in Demand for Environmental Biotechnologies and Cleaner Processes 1.5 International Standards and Competitiveness as Promoters of Cleaner Processes 1.6 Research and Technological Organizations as Promoters of Clean Production Schemes References 2 Environmental Policy for Small and Medium Enterprises 2.1 The Current Situation on Sustainable Development 2.2 The Situation in Mexico 2.3 Industrial Pollution 2.4 A Policy of Economic Incentives 2.5 Economic Incentives in Mexico 2.6 Some Conclusions References 3 The Vital Issues Process: Managing Critical Infrastructures in the Global Arena 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Approach 3.3 Stakeholder Panellists 3.4 Panel Session Format 3.5 Pairwise Comparison Results/Data Presentation 3.6 The Puerto Rico Water Resources Management Initiative 3.7 Concluding Remarks References 4 Environmental Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizers in the 'Baji Region of Guanajuato State, Mexico 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Materials and Methods 4.3 Results and Discussion 4.4 Conclusion References 5 Impermeable Barrier Liners in Containment Type Landfills 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Compacted Clay Liners 5.3 Amended Soil Liners 5.4 Synthetic or Composite Liners 5.5 Factors Relevant to all Types of Liners 5.6 Permeability Testing 5.7 Conclusion References 6 Control of Submicron Air Toxin Particles after Coal Combustion Utilizing Calcium Magnesium Acetate 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Background 6.3 Materials and Methods 6.4 Results and Discussion 6.5 Conclusions and Recommendations References Part Two: Recycling and Treatment of Organic Wastes 7 Duckweed-Based Wastewater Treatment for Rational Resource Recovery and Reuse 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Characteristics of Duckweeds 7.3 Duckweed and Domestic Wastewater Treatment 7.4 Integrated Concepts 7.5 Conclusions References 8 Anaerobic Treatment of Tequila Vinasse 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Materials and Methods 8.3 Results and Discussion Acknowledgements References 9 Immobilization of Living Microalgae and their Use for Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Water 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Microalgae and Cyanobacteria 9.3 Biological Wastewater Treatment 9.4 Utilization of Inorganic Nitrogen and Phosphorus by Cyanobacteria 9.5 Immobilization Techniques 9.6 Concluding Remarks Acknowledgements References 10 Engineered Reed Bed Systems for the Treatment of Dirty Waters 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Basis of Treatment 10.3 Horizontal Flow Beds 10.4 Downflow Beds 10.5 Overland Flow Beds 10.6 Sludge Treatment Beds 10.7 Application of Reed Bed Systems 10.8 Conclusions References Part Three: Removal of Recalcitrant Compounds 11 Immobilization of Non-viable Cyanobacteria and their Use for Heavy Metal Adsorption from Water 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Microbial Mechanisms for Removal of Metal Ions 11.3 Biomass Immobilization 11.4 Reactors for the Treatment of Metal-containing Effluents 11.5 Metal Biosorption by Immobilized Biomass 11.6 Conclusion Acknowledgements References 12 Bioremediation: Clean-up Biotechnologies for Soils and Aquifers 12.1 Introduction 12.2 The Soil: Where Contaminants and Microorganisms Meet 12.3 Microorganism Survival in Adverse Conditions 12.4 Advantages of Bioremediation 12.5 Knowing the Contaminated Site 12.6 Suitability of the Site for Biotreatability Tests 12.7 From Laboratory to Field 12.8 Bioremediation Monitoring in the Field 12.9 Bioremediation as a Clean Technology 12.10 Management Technology Needs References 13 Increasing Bioavailability of Recalcitrant Molecules in Contaminated Soils 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Soil Bioremediation: An Emerging Technology 13.3 Bioavailability Constraints 13.4 General Strategies to Increase Bioavailability 13.5 Addition of Synthetic Surfactants 13.6 Increasing Bioavailability: General Recommendations 13.7 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 14 Bioremediation of Contaminated Soils 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Current Market for Bioremediation 14.3 Bioremediation Systems 14.4 Concluding Remarks References 15 Environmental Oil Biocatalysis 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Pathways in Hydrocarbon Degradation 15.3 Genetics of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Biodegradation 15.4 Mechanisms of Genetic Adaptation 15.5 Final Remarks References Part Four: Cleaner Bioprocesses 16 Clean Biological Bleaching Processes in the Pulp and Paper Industry 16.1 Introduction 16.2 New Bleaching Processes 16.3 Enzymatic Bleaching 16.4 Production of Manganese-Dependent Peroxidase 16.5 Future Perspectives Acknowledgements References 17 The Cleaner Production Strategy Applied to Animal Production 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Cleaner Pig Production Units 17.3 Integrated System for Recycling Pig Wastewater, and Recovering Biogas, Spirulina and Lemna and Biomass (Biospirulinema System) 17.4 Final Remarks References 18 Clean Technologies through Microbial Processes for Economic Benefits and Sustainability 18.1 Introduction 18.2 The Sugarcane and Sugar Processing Industry 18.3 The Palm Oil Industry 18.4 The Seafood Processing Industry 18.5 Concluding Remarks References 19 Cleaner Biotechnologies and the Oil Agroindustry 19.1 Technology and Raw Materials 19.2 The Market 19.3 Structure and Application of Fats and Oils 19.4 Fat and Oil Biotechnology 19.5 The Coconut Industry: A Case Study 19.6 Fat Substitutes 19.7 Conclusions References 20 In Search of Novel and Better Bioinsecticides 20.1 Introduction 20.2 Bioinsecticides based on Bt 20.3 Mode of Action of Bt 5-Endotoxins 20.4 Structure and Function of 5-Endotoxins 20.5 Transgenic Plants Resistant to Insects 20.6 Novel Systems using Bt 20.7 Concluding Remarks References 21 Bacillus Thuringiensis: Relationship Between Cry Genes Expression and Process Conditions 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Mode of Action and Specificity of Bt 5-Endotoxins 21.3 Molecular Biology of Bt 21.4 Production of Bt 21.5 Conclusions References 22 Cleaner Production Activities in Zimbabwe 22.1 Background 22.2 Project Inputs 22.3 Institutional Arrangement 22.4 Demonstration Projects 22.5 Information Dissemination 22.6 Cleaner Production Manual 22.7 Barriers Encountered During Demonstration Projects 22.8 Conclusions References Appendix A: Sample Calculation Index