Overview
The reader is informed about the state of the art of biological waste treatment and how to exploit the potential that microorganisms are offering for this purpose
Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
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Table of contents (16 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Among the goals of environmentally sound waste treatment is the recycling of organic wastes. The most practiced options are composting and anaerobic digestion, both processes being carried out by microorganisms. This book provides an overview of the various ways microbes are doing their job and gives the reader an impression of their potential.
The sixteen chapters of this book summarize the advantages and disadvantages of treatment processes, whether they are aerobic like composting or work without oxygen like anaerobic digestion for biogas (methane) production. These chapters show the potential of microorganisms to create valuable resources from otherwise wasted materials. These resources include profitable organic, humus-like soil conditioners or fertilizer components which are often suppressive to plant diseases. Composts may thus improve soil carbon sequestration, or support sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for mineral fertilizers or pesticides. If anaerobic digestion is used, the biogas produced may replace fossil fuels. Thus, proper biological waste treatment with the help of microorganisms should contribute to a reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas production.
Reviews
From the reviews:
“The work highlights different aspects of microbial composting and anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials. Each of the 16 chapters, contributed by experts in the field, is well written with numerous excellent references and cutting-edge information. … The figures and tables aid in the understanding of the material. Though the work is geared toward researchers in the field, it can be used in graduate-level courses on the topic. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals/practitioners.” (M. E. Lenczewski, Choice, Vol. 48 (1), September, 2010)Editors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Microbes at Work
Book Subtitle: From Wastes to Resources
Editors: Heribert Insam, Ingrid Franke-Whittle, Marta Goberna
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04043-6
Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-642-04042-9Published: 17 December 2009
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-42430-4Published: 28 November 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-04043-6Published: 07 December 2009
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VIII, 329
Topics: Microbiology, Waste Management/Waste Technology, Agriculture