ix
Preface
Miscanthus biomass can be used for different purposes; it contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose has important applications in
bio-based materials including paper. Hemicellulose protects cellulose from
enzymatic hydrolysis, and lignin is primarily responsible for recalcitrance
to chemical and enzymatic degradation. Miscanthus removes carbon from
the atmosphere as it grows; this carbon can be incorporated into building
materials and stored as part of a building for many years. The importance of
making products from renewable biomass has received significant attention
recently.
The book includes chapters on phytotechnologies for inorganic contaminants where phytostabilization is important and organic contaminants where
biodegradation is desired. Phytomining is included because of its growing
importance and recent progress. The science and technology on establishing vegetation at contaminated sites and the benefits of adding soil amendments and plant growth regulators are discussed as well. Phytotechnologies
improve soil health and ecosystem services as well as produce valuable biomass. There is a chapter on plant feeding insects, nematodes, and other topics associated with Miscanthus plant health. Two chapters address products
of Miscanthus: one is on bioenergy as an alternative of growing importance
while the other is on biomass as a material for composites, building materials, and biodegradable and renewable products to replace plastics from
petroleum.
This book is for faculty, students, research scientists, environmental and
agricultural professionals, gardeners, farmers, landowners, and government
officials. An important goal for this book is to have value for all who are
working on phytotechnology projects to reduce risk and/or improve soil
quality at contaminated sites. It will also be interesting for those who are
working to improve soil quality on marginal and abandoned lands. The book
will be very beneficial for those who are new to the topics and want to learn
to apply phytotechnologies and biomass production with its further converting to energy and bioproducts.
Larry E. Erickson
Valentina Pidlisnyuk
Preface
Miscanthus biomass can be used for different purposes; it contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose has important applications in
bio-based materials including paper. Hemicellulose protects cellulose from
enzymatic hydrolysis, and lignin is primarily responsible for recalcitrance
to chemical and enzymatic degradation. Miscanthus removes carbon from
the atmosphere as it grows; this carbon can be incorporated into building
materials and stored as part of a building for many years. The importance of
making products from renewable biomass has received significant attention
recently.
The book includes chapters on phytotechnologies for inorganic contaminants where phytostabilization is important and organic contaminants where
biodegradation is desired. Phytomining is included because of its growing
importance and recent progress. The science and technology on establishing vegetation at contaminated sites and the benefits of adding soil amendments and plant growth regulators are discussed as well. Phytotechnologies
improve soil health and ecosystem services as well as produce valuable biomass. There is a chapter on plant feeding insects, nematodes, and other topics associated with Miscanthus plant health. Two chapters address products
of Miscanthus: one is on bioenergy as an alternative of growing importance
while the other is on biomass as a material for composites, building materials, and biodegradable and renewable products to replace plastics from
petroleum.
This book is for faculty, students, research scientists, environmental and
agricultural professionals, gardeners, farmers, landowners, and government
officials. An important goal for this book is to have value for all who are
working on phytotechnology projects to reduce risk and/or improve soil
quality at contaminated sites. It will also be interesting for those who are
working to improve soil quality on marginal and abandoned lands. The book
will be very beneficial for those who are new to the topics and want to learn
to apply phytotechnologies and biomass production with its further converting to energy and bioproducts.
Larry E. Erickson
Valentina Pidlisnyuk