Microbial Aspects of Pollution

List of Contributors

Preface

Microbial Aspects of Pollution: Some General Considerations

Introduction

Historical Development of Pollution Studies

The Microbiologist's Role

References

The Health Hazards of Pollution

Introduction

Preliminary Orientations

The Assessment of Microbial Hazards of Pollution

Pollution: Past and Present

Diseases Due to Pollution of Drinking Water Supplies

Health Hazards of the Recreational Use of Water

Environmental Pollution and Food

References

Sewage Pollution of Natural Waters

Nuisances and the Destruction of Aquatic Life

Pathogens in Sewage

Bacterial Content of Crude Sewage and Sewage Effluent

Salmonellae in an Estuary

Sewage Pollution of Sea Water

Risks to Human Health

Further Reading

References

The Scope of the Water Pollution Problem

Introduction

The Supply of Water

Treatment and Disposal of Waste Waters and Sludges

Self Purification in Natural Waters

References

Microbial Aspects of Pollution in the Food and Dairy Industries

Introduction

Microbial Composition of Dairy Waste Activated Sludge

Principles of Floc Formation

Metabolic Activity of Activated Sludge

Bulking of Activated Sludge

Waste Water of the Potato Flour and Straw Board Industries

Acknowledgments

References

Aerobic Treatment of Agricultural Wastes

Introduction

Possible Systems

The Environment

Discussion

References

The Role of Strict Anaerobes in the Digestion of Organic Material

Introduction

The Overall Process of Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion of Piggery Wastes

The Bacteriology of Anaerobic Digestion, with Special Reference to the Digestion of Piggery Wastes

General Discussion

References

The Microbial Ecology of the Activated Sludge Process

Introduction

Typical Plants and Their Operation

The Activated Sludge Community and Selective Mechanisms

Bacteria in the Activated Sludge Process

Protozoa in the Activated Sludge Process

The Occurrence of Fungi

Flocculation

Bulking of Activated Sludge

Removal of Bacteria and Pathogenic Organisms

Mathematical Approach to the Ecology of Activated Sludge

References

Disposal by Dilution?—An Ecologist's Viewpoint

Introduction

The Role of Dilution in the Disposal of Wastes

The Nature and Types of Pollution

Physical and Hydrological Considerations in the Dispersion and Mixing of Effluents in the Aquatic Environment

Disposal by Dilution of Effluents Containing Harmful or Undesirable Organisms

Disposal by Dilution of Effluents Containing Toxic or Other Directly Harmful Substances

Disposal by Dilution of Effluents Containing Biogenic Materials

Practice of Disposal by Dilution

Conclusions

References

Microbiological Aspects of the Pollution of Fresh Water with Inorganic Nutrients

Introduction

Nutrients Limiting Microbial Growth

Sources of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Compounds

Forms and Quantities of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Lakewaters

Influence of Oxidation-Reduction Potential

Assimilation and Release of Nitrogen Compounds

General Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Factors Affecting Algal Blooms

Introduction

Requirements for Growth

Algae in Natural Environments

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Nitrogen Removal from Waste Waters by Biological Nitrification and Denitrification

Introduction

Biological Nitrification

Biological Denitrification

Nitrification-Denitrification Processes

Acknowledgments

References

Degradation of Herbicides by Soil Micro-Organisms

Introduction

The Fate and Persistence of Herbicides in the Soil

The Experimental Approach

Microbial Metabolism of Herbicides

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

The Microbial Breakdown of Pesticides

Introduction

Problems in the Study of Biodegradation

Naturally Recalcitrant Molecules

Structural Factors Influencing Biodegradability

Conclusion

References

Biodeterioration and Biodegradation of Synthetic Polymers

Introduction

The Biodeterioration of Plastics

The Biodegradation of Plastics

References

Disposal of Infective Laboratory Materials

Introduction

Infected Air

Infected Dust and Surfaces

Hollow-Ware and Cultures

Liquid Effluents

Laboratory Clothing

Animals and Cage Litter

Miscellaneous Problems

References