Environmental Biotechnology

Recent advances in biotechnology and the rapid expansion of DNA-based analytical techniques are enhancing our understanding of the fundamentals of water quality management and the accompanying engineering processes. Greater understanding of the molecular biology and ecology of microorganisms involved in effluent treatment has permitted better understanding of the processes associated with waste-treatment technologies together with expectations of enhanced environmental outcomes. The need for resource recovery from industry?s by-products and wastes has led to increased exploitation of biotechnological principles. These linked developments in wastewater treatment engineering and molecular biotechnology represent a new phase in the endeavour to minimize and better manage pollution. These selected proceedings focus on applications of biotechnology for treatment and utilization of industrial wastes and by-products. Microbial communities are providing useful functions, such as bioremediation of contaminated soils and sludges, nutrient removal from wastewaters, minimization of BOD and COD, and removal of hazardous organic compounds from waste discharges. The 32 papers offered here also examine the performance of bioreactors, the applications of molecular techniques and monitoring procedures. These proceedings will stimulate further discourse and contribute understanding in this rapidly expanding, multi-disciplinary field.