Bioremediation Protocols (Methods in Biotechnology, 2)

The many thousands of human-made and other chemical compounds present in the environment offer a serious challenge to our btosphere. It is appropriate, therefore, that our response to these products of human kno- edge and ingenuity should draw on a body of mtenstve scientific endeavor that is no less impressive. Bioremediation offers the possibility of harnessing the diversity of the biosphere to degrade, remove, alter, or otherwise detoxify these various chemicals. It brings together scientists from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, such as microbiology, molecular biology, a- lytical chemistry, and chemical and environmental engineering, among o- ers. These different fields, each with its own individual approach, have actively contributed to the development of bioremediation research tn recent years. The prmcipal objective of Bioremediation Protocols is to make the fruits of some of this research available in a different format to that of the textbook or journal article. It provides a selection of clearly written laboratory pro- cols presented as stepwise, easy-to-follow mstructions. In common with p- wous volumes in this and the companion Methods in Molecular Biology series, an extensive “Notes” section is provided with each chapter. This contains u- ful mformation (of a type often not normally included m a research paper) supplementmg the protocol. Reviews and case studies are also included to provide a deeper context to the methods chapters.

In Bioremediation Protocols leading researchers from around the world present their time-tested genetic, chemical, and analytical techniques for studying specific pollutants and their remediation. Their expert procedures range widely from cell immobilization and screening to microbiological and analytical chemistry methods that are applied to such environmental pollutants as hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs, TBT, and heavy metals. These pathbreaking contributors have also included illuminating reviews and case studies intended to expand the useful range of the methods. In addition, they discuss such major issues in bioremediation as the design and use of bioreactors, genetic manipulation, and the preparation and analysis of environmental samples.

Bioremediation Protocols brings together the most useful work of scientists from a wide variety of disciplines. Its techniques are essential to harnessing the diversity of biological means now available to degrade, remove, alter, or otherwise detoxify the many harmful chemical compounds found in our environment today.