The remediation of the contaminated environment using the physical, thermal, or chemical methods has been criticized due to their high-cost implication, non-eco-friendly and inability to meet remediation objectives. Bioremediation offers the application of environmentally benign and cost-effective biological techniques for the remediation of contaminated sites. This chapter provides an overview of bioremediation technologies for the remediation of hazardous substances in the environment while highlighting the application of bioturbation as a promising bioremediation tool for the effective treatment of organic and inorganic contaminants. Given the success of bioremediation, most of these technologies are yet to be applied on a large scale which presents a drawback to this technique. Challenges and prospects for the effective application of bioremediation technologies were discussed.
Part of the book: Hazardous Waste Management
Bioenergy, when compared to traditional fossil fuels, offers clear benefits due to its renewable nature and enormous supply, and so plays a critical role in ensuring energy stability while minimizing net greenhouse gas emission. However, the advancement of bioenergy can produce major environmental changes, the extent of which is unknown. This chapter highlights the overview of bioenergy, available technologies for bioenergy production, environmental implications, challenges, prospects and future work consideration for the successful transition to bioenergy economy. Consequently, a global bioenergy sector producing substantial amount of energy would be required for the transition to a low-carbon energy economy while meeting rising future energy demands.
Part of the book: Biomass, Biorefineries and Bioeconomy