Mineral Transformation and Bioremediation by Geo-Microbes

This book investigates the pivotal role of microorganisms in elemental cycling and degradation processes, offering a comprehensive exploration of their chemical reactivity and metabolic diversity. By examining the interaction of microorganisms with geological activities, this volume highlights their influence on biotransformation and bioremediation. Readers will find an in-depth review of geo-microbes' applications in soil improvement and environmental restoration, alongside discussions on bio-sediment, bioleaching, and elemental cycling.The chapters offer expert analysis and diverse perspectives in microbiology, geology, and environmental biotechnology. Key concepts include the geomicrobiological interactions in extreme environments, the transformation of toxic elements, and the potential for extraterrestrial life models. Chapters delve into the rehabilitation of saturated lands, the role of geo-microbes in arsenic transformation, and the ecological restoration of wetlands. The book is invaluable for researchers, students, and professionals in microbiology, biotechnology, geology, and environmental sciences. It also serves as a major reference for understanding the microbial processes that shape our planet and offers practical insights for harnessing the power of geo-microbes for sustainable environmental solutions. While comprehensively reviewing geo-microbes in biotransformation processes, the book provides the knowledge and tools necessary to advance the readers’ understanding of geomicrobiology and its applications.

Prof. S.R. Joshi, Professor in the Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India, is a microbiologist with more than 36 years of teaching, research and administrative experiences. He has a brilliant academic career of being Gold Medallist in his Bachelor`s and Master`s Programme. He also holds degrees in Bachelor of Education and Computer Applications. His experience in teaching and research is substantiated by his successful mentoring of 28 research scholars for their Ph.D degree apart from guiding Masters students and Research Fellows from Science Academies of India. His research interests span around exploring microbial diversity from the biodiversity hotspot of Northeast India for their bioprospection as probiotics, bioinoculants, speleothem drivers and bioremediating agents. He has successfully completed more than 20 research projects sponsored by different governmental and corporate agencies which has led to developing starter cultures for fermentation of non-dairy substrates, pilot scale technology for bioremediation of mine areas and bioinoculants for eco-restoration of shifting cultivation fallows, an indigenous agricultural practice prevalent in Northeast India. He has worked extensively in mineral transformations in mining areas, agricultural systems, hot springs, sacred groves and cave environments underlining the role played by microorganisms in these special niches. His administrative experiences include his involvement in academic councils and administrative bodies of different institutions and his parent university. His contributions in scientific committees encompasses his involvement in Science and Technology Task Forces, Scientific Advisory Committees and as Governing Body member of various academic and scientific institutions. He has been decorated with many awards and membership of different science societies and academies. Notable among them are the Fellow of National Academy of Sciences India and Ambedkar Fellowship. Dr. Subhro Banerjee, Assistant Professor in Department of Zoology, SRM University Sikkim, is a microbiologist with 15 years of teaching, research and administrative experiences. After having pursued his B.Sc (Hons.) and M.Sc Microbiology from University of Calcutta, Kolkata and Jiwaji University, Gwalior respectively, he obtained his Ph.D from Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) [A Central University], Shillong. He worked as Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology project apart from being a DST-PURSE fellow. He carried out his postdoctoral works at Bidhannagar College (Govt. of West Bengal), Kolkata and at NEHU, Shillong on diverse aspects of microbiology and under various funding agencies like Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustai