Intro
Preface
Contents
About the Editors
1: Environmental Biotechnology: Toward a Sustainable Future
1.1 Introduction to Environmental Biotechnology
1.2 Worldwide Environmental Problems
1.2.1 Environmental Contamination
1.2.2 Global Warming
1.2.3 The Depletion of the Ozone Layer
1.2.4 Acid Rain
1.2.5 Depletion of Natural Resources
1.2.6 Overpopulation
1.2.7 Waste Disposal
1.2.8 Deforestation
1.2.9 Loss of Biodiversity
1.3 Bioremediation
1.3.1 Nano-Bioremediation Technologies for Sustainable Environment

1.4 Biotechnology to Control and Clear Air Pollution
1.4.1 Control Methods of Odor and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
1.5 Soil Management and Contamination
1.5.1 Sources of Soil Pollution
1.5.2 The Available Options for the Integrated Management of Contaminated Soils
1.5.2.1 Controlling Pollutant Entry into the Soil
1.5.2.2 Use of Physical and Chemical Means to Decontaminate Soil
1.5.2.3 Soil Contaminants Bioremediation
1.6 Effective Treatment of Wastewater
1.6.1 Choice of Methods for Wastewater Treatment
1.6.1.1 Small-Scale Wastewater Treatment

1.6.1.2 Large-Scale Wastewater Treatment
1.6.2 Biological Approach to Wastewater Treatment
1.7 Biotechnology Application to Industrial Sustainability
1.7.1 Fine Chemicals
1.7.2 Intermediate Chemicals
1.7.3 Polymers
1.7.4 Food Processing
1.7.5 Fiber Processing
1.7.6 Biotechnology Can Create a Source of Renewable Energy
1.8 Microorganisms in the Environment
1.8.1 Bio-Inputs for Global Sustainability
1.8.2 Antibiotics Are Used to Protect Plants
1.9 Further Biotechnological Aspects
1.9.1 Eco-Friendly Fuels
1.9.1.1 Biofuel Sources
1.10 Biopesticides

1.10.1 Microbial Pesticides
1.10.2 Biochemical Pesticides
1.10.2.1 Benefits of Biochemical Pesticides
1.10.2.2 Limitations of Biochemical Pesticides
1.11 Biofertilizers
1.11.1 Microbial Biofertilizers
1.12 Bioleaching
1.12.1 Bioleaching Uses
1.12.2 Mechanism of Bioleaching
1.13 Bioplastic
1.13.1 Merits of Bioplastics Over Conventional Plastics
1.13.1.1 Biodegradable
1.13.1.2 Eco-Friendly
1.14 Conclusion
References
2: The Mystery of Methanogenic Archaea for Sustainable Development of Environment
2.1 Introduction

2.2 Microbiological Facets of Methanogens
2.2.1 Archaebacteria
2.2.2 Definitive Characteristics of Methanogenic Archaea
2.2.3 Anaerobiosis
2.2.4 A Diminutive Historical View of Methanogenic Archaea
2.2.5 Habitat
2.2.6 Methanogenic Phylogeny
2.2.6.1 Methanobacteriales
2.2.6.2 Methanococcales
2.2.6.3 Methanomicrobiales
2.2.6.4 Methanosarcinales
2.2.6.5 Methanopyrales
2.2.6.6 Methanocellales
2.2.6.7 Methanoplasmatales (Thermoplasmatales)
2.3 Morphological, Ecological, and Biological View of Methanogenic Archaea
2.3.1 Cell Shape, Motility, and Gas Vesicles