Foreword
Safeguarding the environment and a sustainable future in the wake of rapid industrialization is a key challenge worldwide. Industries are the fundamental drivers in
the world economy, but they can also be major polluters discharging potentially
toxic and hazardous wastes into the environment. Conventional physico-chemical
remediation techniques are known to be costly and environmentally destructive and
can result in secondary pollution and disturb the natural environment. In contrast,
bioremediation is a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to conventional remediation technologies for the treatment and management of industrial wastes.
Bioremediation has been identified by the US Environment Protection Agency
(USEPA) to promote the sustainable development of our society with low environmental impact. The applications and scope of bioremediation technologies are everexpanding. For instance, the development of constructed wetlands (CWs) has
revolutionized the way contaminated wastewater is treated and managed and its
reuse in wastewater treatment facility. The Putrajaya wetland in Putrajaya city of
Malaysia represents an excellent example of the commercial success of CWs in
developing countries.
Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety: Biological Agents
and Methods for Industrial Waste Management (Volume II), edited by Dr. Ram
vii
Safeguarding the environment and a sustainable future in the wake of rapid industrialization is a key challenge worldwide. Industries are the fundamental drivers in
the world economy, but they can also be major polluters discharging potentially
toxic and hazardous wastes into the environment. Conventional physico-chemical
remediation techniques are known to be costly and environmentally destructive and
can result in secondary pollution and disturb the natural environment. In contrast,
bioremediation is a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to conventional remediation technologies for the treatment and management of industrial wastes.
Bioremediation has been identified by the US Environment Protection Agency
(USEPA) to promote the sustainable development of our society with low environmental impact. The applications and scope of bioremediation technologies are everexpanding. For instance, the development of constructed wetlands (CWs) has
revolutionized the way contaminated wastewater is treated and managed and its
reuse in wastewater treatment facility. The Putrajaya wetland in Putrajaya city of
Malaysia represents an excellent example of the commercial success of CWs in
developing countries.
Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety: Biological Agents
and Methods for Industrial Waste Management (Volume II), edited by Dr. Ram
vii