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2019 | Buch

Sustainable Green Technologies for Environmental Management

herausgegeben von: Dr. Shachi Shah, Dr. V. Venkatramanan, Dr. Ram Prasad

Verlag: Springer Singapore

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Our Earth is considered as a natural system which organizes and controls itself. However, the present scale of anthropogenic activity is unprecedented in the history of mankind compelling the intelligentia to ponder over the scientific causes of the problems, processes and sustainable and pragmatic solutions. The current rate of resource use and consumption pattern are depleting the planet’s finite resources and damaging life-supporting ecosystems. A large number of toxic substances are increasingly found in air, water, soil, and flora and fauna. We are in the midst of a period of increasing interconnected and complex global challenges that seek action across temporal and spatial scales, diverse sectors, and concerted efforts from global citizens. The environment on account of human’s action has been experiencing imbalances and ecological catastrophe. Environmental issues like global climate change, biodiversity loss, the rapid depletion of natural resources, degradation of global commons, stratospheric ozone depletion have been restricting the safe operating space and transgressing the planetary boundaries endangering the existence of human societies. The global environmental problems if not scientifically managed may end up in the civilizational collapse. Nevertheless, the underlying commonality among these environmental issues is interrelatedness, complexity, and difficulty in identifying and implementing solutions. The global environmental challenges can be managed by adopting sustainable green technologies which dovetails the principles of environmental sustainability with social and ecological sustainability. Green growth is construed as a new development paradigm that sustains economic growth while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Enviroscaping: An Environment Friendly Landscaping

Abstract

The goal of developing ornamental landscapes that are safe, attractive, and functional for urban dwellers is pursued with great interest, and vast amounts of energy and material resources were used in this effort. However, direct and indirect energy consumption, the need for supplemental water, and the concerns about soil and ground water contamination raise serious questions regarding the long-term sustainability of urban landscapes. Sustainability in landscaping can be improved through a number of actions, such as planning and managing landscapes to function more like natural environments through cycling of resources and managing energy costs; integrating efforts to conserve water and energy, reduce green waste, improve soils, increase wildlife and reducing the demand for energy and material resources in other sectors of the urban environment through microclimate mitigation and habitat restoration. The objective of enviroscaping is to provide home gardeners and commercial landscapers with information that can help them to design and develop beautiful healthy, landscapes in an environmental friendly manner. The approach of enviroscaping is to manage landscapes as an interactive system by considering various components such as temperature, water/irrigation, fertilization, plants and trees, insect pest and pathogens control. Enviroscaping sets new dimension to landscape design and maintenance that can help us to conserve energy and water, recycle yard wastes on site and reduce inputs of fertilizers and pesticides into the environment.

Malleshaiah Kumar Sharath, K. V. Peter

Chapter 2. Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies for Environmental Management: The Intersection of Sustainability, Resilience, Wellbeing and Development

Abstract

Agriculture sync with the existence of humanity. Converging demands from human population, food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, agricultural resources, biofuel and oil prices, food prices, have engendered a new transformative, resilient and smart agricultural approach entitled “Climate Smart Agriculture”. Rapid alteration by humans on agricultural landscape driven by aspirations to maximize production, productivity, and profit with scant regard to environmental concerns led to the degradation of agricultural lands, alteration in global carbon and nitrogen cycles, loss of soil fertility and biodiversity, pest and disease outbreaks. Under such circumstances, agriculture production system must be insured against impending danger of climate change; augmented with diversity of biological resources; enhanced with adaptive capacity and resilience; provided with site-specific sustainable management practices like integrated crop management, conservation agriculture, agriculture diversification and landscape management. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is construed as a “comprehensive agricultural approach that aims at sustainable productivity enhancement, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and achieving global food security and other related sustainable development goals”. CSA incorporates the virtues of “climate-smart food system”, “climate-proof farms”, and “climate-smart soils”.

V. Venkatramanan, Shachi Shah

Chapter 3. Phosphorus Management in Agroecosytems and Role and Relevance of Microbes in Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient source for plant growth. However, it is a limiting mineral resource based on its availability in the environment and the form it is available to the plants. High amount of phosphorus use in soil is often considered to be non-productive to agriculture and can lead to mineral and heavy metal accumulation, soil leaching, surface run-off, and eutrophication in water bodies. This chapter reviews literature concerning P management practices in agriculture, the importance, role and relevance of microorganisms in P availability, environmental sustainability and the perspective of these microbes is discussed.

Sagar Chhabra

Chapter 4. Management of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils: Perspective of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract

In recent years, intensive research have been initiated on remediation of metal polluted soil due to the public concerns on ecosystem deterioration. Plants are used as an effective tool in remediation of metal polluted soil. In natural ecosystem, plants are associated with soil microorganisms which plays an important role in enhancing plant growth in metal contaminated site and phytoremediation process. Among the microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) contributes markedly in the phytoremediation process in metal contaminated site by enhancing plant stress tolerance and metal extraction from soil (phytoextraction) and immobilization of metals in soil (phytostabilization). This chapter deals with our study on the effect of heavy metal on AMF root colonization and diversity in heavy metal and metalloid contaminated sites. In addition, this chapter summarizes the mechanisms involved in AMF mediated phytoremediation of metal polluted soil. Potential prospects lies in revealing the mechanisms behind the tripartite interaction among plant species, AMF species and heavy metals for effective management of polluted soils.

R. Krishnamoorthy, V. Venkatramanan, M. Senthilkumar, R. Anandham, K. Kumutha, Tongmin Sa

Chapter 5. Phytoremediation: An Alternative Tool Towards Clean and Green Environment

Abstract

Wetlands being the most productive and ecologically sensitive and adaptive ecosystems are constantly being challenged with anthropogenic pressures due to their wide variety of services they provide to mankind. The vast expansions of human population and associated activities have put a tremendous amount of pressure on these naturally occurring resources. Uncontrolled discharge of effluents in water from various sources resulted into altered nature of the associated ecosystems giving rise to several health issues and problems. Hence, realising the urgent need of protecting these ecologically fragile ecosystems several adaptive measures have been taken. In this connection, it is found that the available conventional methods are not feasible on various grounds like their cost, their by-products, time frame, etc. Therefore, the use of plants emerged as the alternative and promising tool for safe and sustainable ecosystem supporting life.

Sandhya Misra, Krishna G. Misra

Chapter 6. Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A Sustainable Approach

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are aromatic hydrocarbons having two or more fused benzene rings. PAH are found in environment from natural as well as anthropogenic sources. They are widely distributed environmental contaminants that have detrimental biological effects, including toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. PAHs are thermodynamically more stable and resistant to microbial degradation due to their hydrophobic nature and their stabilization due to presence of multiple benzene rings and low aqueous solubility. Despite these properties, a variety of bacterial, fungal and algal species are reported for biodegradation. Most of studies involved in PAH microbial degradation is based on enzymes involved in PAH metabolism and their mineralization. Several bacteria have been found to degrade PAH such as Sphingomonas sp., Psedomonas sp., Alcaligens eutrophus, Burkhelderia sp. Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Nocardioides, Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Nocardioides and Novosphingobium, etc. There are several biochemical pathways and gene reported which are responsible for bacterial degradation of PAHs. Many fungi metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with enzymes that include lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, laccase, cytochrome P450, and epoxide hydrolase. The products include trans-dihydrodiols, phenols, quinones, dihydrodiol epoxides, and tetraols, which may be conjugated to form glucuronides, glucosides, xylosides, and sulfates. The fungal and bacterial metabolites generally are less toxic than the parent hydrocarbons. Cultures of fungi that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may be useful for bioremediation of contaminated soils, sediments, and waters. Microalgae and eukaryotic algae sp. have been also reported for their bioaccumulation, biotransformation and degradation capability of PAH. While mechanism of biodegradation pathways from algae are not very specific and vary from species to species. In case of algal biodegradation of PAH it works more precisely in combination with bacterial co-culture.

Shaili Srivastava, Madan Kumar

Chapter 7. Rain Gardens as Stormwater Management Tool

Abstract

Stormwater runoff contributes significantly to urban flooding, groundwater pollution, reduction in water table, surface water quality impairment, etc. as it contains various pollutants that pose risks to life forms. Therefore, management practices must be implemented for mitigating stormwater pollution. Out of the several best management practices (BMPs), rain gardens (also known as bioretention systems (green infrastructures)) is one such practice that is being widely used these days to reduce non-point source pollution arising from urban areas. Physico-chemical and biological features of rain gardens positively helps in remediating contaminants, storing runoff water, reducing peak-flow, nutrient cycling, sequestring heavy metals and also provides supplementary benefits such as recreational facilities. In this chapter, information has been provided on stormwater pollution and use of rain gardens for stormwater treatment. The potential of rain gardens for stormwater treatment has also been critically examined by looking at the present research initiatives taken towards effective implementation of this Green Infrastructure (GI) technology.

Piyush Malaviya, Rozi Sharma, Pradeep Kumar Sharma

Chapter 8. Application of Geospatial Techniques in Hydrological Modelling

Abstract

Water management planners face considerable uncertainty in determining water availability, as change in global climate and land use/land cover patterns have altered hydrologic conditions and led to change in the dynamics of the water cycle. Therefore, it calls for having a better understanding of hydrologic processes and surface/groundwater dynamics in hydrologic and water resources management studies. The water budget analysis of a region can be done with the help of hydrological models and geospatial techniques. In the present chapter, applicability of geospatial techniques in hydrological modeling is described in detail.

Dharmaveer Singh, S. P. Rai, Dinesh Rai

Chapter 9. Sustainable Energy: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

Currently, energy security, sustainable development and wellbeing are the energy policy drivers throughout the world. India has made significant progress, far more rapidly in the past 2 years, increasing the installed capacity of sustainable energy, and potentially this upward drift is anticipated to persist. The innovation in new and advanced technologies, aggressive energy policies, action, and planning activities has enabled India to resolve the barriers of commercial production of sustainable energy. The domestic production and use of renewable energy, such as off-grid power sources, i.e., solar power, wind power, small hydropower, biofuels and bioenergy from new biomass will help to reduce the fossil fuel use and its imports from other countries.

Sustainable economic and industrial growth also requires safe and sustainable energy resources. The use of sustainable energy will help in strengthening low-carbon energy in India and providing a clean environment through reduction of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Prospective attention to financial and development needs by the use of sustainable energy will also improve the living standards of society with equity and economic sustainability. There is a strong need to extensively adopt and use sustainable energy technologies to supply off-grid power, especially in the areas with difficulty in accessing the central grid power, such as un-electrified villages, remote areas, and hilly terrains. Finally, these sustainable energy sources offer massive benefits and can contribute significantly to ensuring a secure energy future for India.

S. Prasad, K. R. Sheetal, V. Venkatramanan, S. Kumar, S. Kannojia

Chapter 10. Microbial Fuel Cell: Sustainable Green Technology for Bioelectricity Generation and Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Global Environmental Change and the rapid exhaustion of non-renewable energy sources like coal, and petroleum products have kindled the necessity of humankind for the invention of viable and efficient sustainable green technologies for harvesting energy resources. Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology offers an effective carbon neutral alternative for bioelectricity generation. This environmentally benign technology capitalizes the ability of electrogenic bacteria to produce electricity from chemical energy produced from the degradation of organic substrates including wastewater. Bioelectricity generation by electrogenic bacteria is influenced by factors like nature/type of substrate, concentration of substrate, hydrogen ion concentration, organic loading rate and internal resistance. Of late, studies in the field of substrates for MFCs demonstrate that a diverse group of organic sources can be used as a substrate for microbes and consequently, sustainable energy can be produced. MFC-based systems found applications in hydrogen production, environmental sensors, seawater desalination, bioremediation, and microbial electro-synthesis and energy recovery. In this chapter, an insight has been given to the principles, components, upscaling, and potential applications of MFC as green and clean technology for bioelectricity generation and waste reduction.

Shachi Shah, V. Venkatramanan, Ram Prasad

Chapter 11. Biofuels: A Clean Technology for Environment Management

Abstract

Air quality (AQ) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission management are the key drivers related to sustainability goal around the world today because most of the aforementioned issues are attributable to fossil fuels burning. Biofuels are the clean, alternative fuels that are derived from biomass-based resources. It addresses efficient management of air pollution problems and the collective goal of climate change mitigation. Recent times have witnessed accelerated growth in biofuel production worldwide. The Government of India has been very keen on promoting manufacture and blending of ethanol derived from sugarcane molasses, and biodiesel from non-edible and waste oils for mixing with diesel. India’s biofuel policy (2003), dealing with bio-ethanol and biodiesel, sights to channelize biofuels into the energy and transport sector to address energy security and improvement in the living standard of rural areas. Biofuels as an alternative energy source can help to lessen the dependency on imported fossil fuel oil, achieve sustainability goal and several other societal requirements.

S. Prasad, V. Venkatramanan, S. Kumar, K. R. Sheetal

Chapter 12. Microbial Potential and Biofuel Production

Abstract

Exhaustion of fossil fuel has driven consideration and notion all over the world to ascertain an auxiliary and long-time supportable energy resources and sources of power to fulfil the requirement of human beings. The microbial originated fuels, known as micro-biofuels has immense potential to substantially reduce the transportation fuel crisis. For cost-effective biofuels production, the use of microbes using industrial, agricultural waste and renewable matters will sort out energy crisis, climate change apprehensiveness and food assurance. Quantum of plant biomass on our planet is remarkable and the biomass can be converted by the microbes and their enzymes into renewable energy sources. Currently, on a large scale, the bioethanol is produced in countries like United States of America using corn or other raw materials to meet the requirements of transportation sector. On the contrary, though methane gas is produced on a significant level, it is yet to gain currency for industrial and transportation purposes. As regards the biobutanol, it has huge potential to supplement the existing petroleum products.

Instead of producing bioethanol or biodiesel from microbes, researchers are trying to manufacture advanced microbiofuels, such as long chain isoprenoid, alcohols and fatty acids based fuels from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli or production of hydrogen using the cyanobacteria. In this chapter, we analyse and discuss the present status of microbial based biofuel production, their constraints and challenges.

Priyanku Teotia, Manoj Kumar, Vivek Kumar

Chapter 13. Microbial Biofortification: A Green Technology Through Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms

Abstract

The hidden hunger or malnutrition is considered to be the most dignified global challenge to human kind. Malnutrition afflicts approximately more than one billion of world’s population in both developed and developing countries. Malnutrition includes diet related chronic diseases as well as overt nutrient deficiencies which leads to morbidity, reduced physical and mental growth. However, strategies to enhance supplementation of mineral elements and food fortification have not always been successful. Plant growth promoting microorganisms are known to fortify micro- and macro-nutrient contents in staple food crops through various mechanisms such as siderophore production, zinc solubilization, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, etc. Inoculation of potential microorganisms along with mineral fertilizers can increase the uptake of mineral elements, yield and growth. Therefore, biofortification of staple food crops by the implications of plant growth promoting microorganisms has an ability to attain mineral elements, is advocated as novel strategy not only to increase concentration of micronutrient in edible food crops but also to improve yields on less fertile soils.

Amir Khan, Jyoti Singh, Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay, Ajay Veer Singh, Shachi Shah

Chapter 14. Harnessing Microbial Potential for Wastewater Treatment in Constructed Wetlands

Abstract

Microbial community constitute a major component of constructed wetlands (CWs), playing a major role in these systems capacities for treating wastewater. Constructed wetland system has a hydraulic regime, although the volume of inflow in the wetland is never the same as the outflow. Wetland are either of Free Water Surface (FWS) or Subsurface Flow (SF). Nitrogen, the most important component in constructed wetlands undergoes transformation by various processes converting N into one to another form and by plant uptake. For instance, nitrification is more impactful for ammonia reduction and its removal relies on the configuration of the wetland and the dissolved oxygen (DO). The chapter discusses the types of wetlands and their physical, chemical and biological processes in the removal of various contaminants. It also gives an overview of different microbial processes and their mechanisms involved during the treatment of wastewater inside constructed wetland systems.

Manoj Kaushal, Suhas P. Wani, Mukund D. Patil

Chapter 15. Role of Vermicomposting in Agricultural Waste Management

Abstract

Agricultural wastes including food processing wastes are the by-products of various food industries that have not been recycled or utilized for other purposes. These agri-horticultural wastes constitute a big problem in municipal landfills due to their high rate of biodegradability. In other words, they are actually the unutilized raw materials whose industrial applications are less than their cost of collection and recovery; and therefore they are generally considered as wastes. The major agricultural sources are livestock, crop residues, tree wastes, aquatic weeds, agro-industrial byproducts, marine wastes and tank silt. The advancement of agricultural biotechnology has led to the development of high yielding variety crops and their subsequent crop residues such as straw, leaves twigs, stubbles along with huge amounts of grasses and weeds. During vermicomposting, stabilization of organic waste occurs through the joint activity of earthworms and aerobic micro-organisms. Vermicomposting is ecofriendly and an economic technique for management of agricultural waste. The earthworm Eisenia foetida is one of the most common species used in vermicomposting. The temperature of the earthworm feed should be in the range of 20–35 °C along with relative humidity between 60–80%. Commonly known as farmer’s friends, the earthworms improves the fertility of the soil by decomposition of organic matter. In this process, the earthworms leave behind their castings that are exceptionally a rich source of bio-fertilizer. Physico-chemical analysis had shown that vermicomposting decreases total organic carbon (TOC) and carbon-nitrogen (C/N) ratio but increases nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) content when compared to compost and other agricultural wastes. The other areas of its application are for crop improvement through pathogen destruction (biocontrol), improving the water holding capacity of soil and production of plant growth regulators. All these factors will ultimately lead to improved crop growth and yield, and better soil physical, chemical and biological properties.

Charu Gupta, Dhan Prakash, Sneh Gupta, Monica Azucena Nazareno

Backmatter

Titel: Sustainable Green Technologies for Environmental Management
herausgegeben von: Dr. Shachi Shah
Dr. V. Venkatramanan
Dr. Ram Prasad
Verlag: Springer Singapore
Electronic ISBN: 978-981-13-2772-8
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2771-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2772-8