Sustainable Management of Environmental Contaminants: Eco-friendly Remediation Approaches

Environmental contaminants are chemicals that accidentally or  deliberately enter the environment, often, but not always, as a result  of human activities. Some of these contaminants may have been  manufactured for industrial use, and because they are very stable, they  do not break down easily. If released to the environment, these  contaminants may enter the food chain. Other environmental contaminants  are naturally occurring chemicals, but industrial activity may increase  their mobility or increase the amount available to circulate in the  environment, allowing them to enter the food chain at higher levels than  would otherwise occur. Environmental contaminants influence the  physiological cell reactions at different and heterogeneous basics and  lead to altering in normal cell function primarily at the molecular and  biochemical level. Molecular responses to such common environmental  stresses have been studied intensively over the last few years, in which  there is an intricate network of signaling pathways controlling  perception of these environmental stress signals, the generation of  second messengers and signal transduction. Recent advances in many areas  of plant and microbial research, including genotyping, make scientists  optimistic that valuable solutions will be found to allow  deployment/commercialization of strategies better able to tolerate these  environmental stresses.

Environmental remediation  was historically viewed as an inherently sustainable activity, as it  restores contamination; however, researchers and practitioners are  increasingly recognizing that there can be substantial environmental  footprints and socioeconomic costs associated with remediation.  Sustainability is an imperative in the emerging green and sustainable  remediation movement, which is reshaping the entire remediation  industry.

Understanding the significant roles of  sustainable or eco-friendly approaches in mitigating environmental  contaminants, the current subject has recently attracted the attention  of scientists from across the globe. This comprehensive volume  “Sustainable Management of Environmental Contaminants: Eco-friendly  Remediation Approaches" highlights the various prospects involved in  current scenario. The current volume comprises the chapters from diverse  areas dealing with biotechnology, microbial technology, nanotechnology,  molecular biology, green and sustainable remediation, etc. I am hopeful  that this volume will furnish the requisite of all those who are  working or have interest in the proposed topic.