Applied Environmental Microbiology

Paper Code: 
MBL 325
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75
Objective: 
  • To understand solid and liquid waste management.
  • To understand biodegradation,bioremediation, bioleaching and biodeterioration.
  • To learn about biofertilizers.
  • To know about biopesticides and bioplastics

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Waste management

                                                                        

Treatment of industrial effluents and municipal waste through microorganisms.

Aerobic Processes: Oxidation pools, Rotating Biological Discs, Rotating Drums, Anaerobic Processes: Anaerobic digestion, Anaerobic filter, upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors. Indicator microorganisms.

Solid wastes: Sources and management (composting, vermiculture and Methane production

 

 

15.00
Unit II: 
Biodegradation

                                                                                    

Biodegradation of natural compounds (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, chitin,)

Biodegradation of xenobiotics in environment – Organisms involved in degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, substituted simple aromatic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, synthetic polymers, detergents and hydrocarbons

Bioremediation- exsitu and in situ. bioaccumulation, biomagnifications

 

15.00
Unit III: 
Biodeterioration and Bioleaching

 

                                                                                    

Definition, biodetorioration of paper, wood, paint, textiles, leather, metals (corrosion). Control of  biodetorioration.

Microorganisms and metal pollutants- metal bioavalibility in environment, mechanism of microbial metal resistance and detoxification, metal- microbe interaction, Bioleaching  of metals, Microbial enhanced oil recovery.

 

 

 

15.00
Unit IV: 
Biofertilizers

                                                                                                                                                

Definition and types of biofertilizers, Mass cultivation and methods of inoculation of microbial inoculants – (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, & Asospirillium.)Cyanobacteria – Azolla – Anabaena association and its role in rice cultivation

Quality control and ISI specifications for Rhizobium cultures.

 

 

15.00
Unit V: 
Mycorrhizal Relationship, Biopesticides and Bioplastics

 

                                  

VAM  mycorrhizal association, Types of mycorrhizal association, Isolation, stock plants and inoculum production of VAM .

Physiology and function of mycorrhizas- Nutrient Uptake and other effects.

Biopesticides (with special emphasis on B. Thruingenesis.)

Bioplastics

ESSENTIAL READINGS: 
  1. Environmental Biotechnology – Basic concepts and applications, Indu Shekhar Thakur, I K International publications. 2006
  2. Environmental Microbiology R.M Maier, I.L. Pepper and C.P.Gerba , Academic Press. (2000)
  3. Introduction of Environmental Microbiology, Michel. R.  1999
  4. Microbial Ecology- Fundamentals & Applications, 4th Edition, Ronald  M. Atlas, Richard Bartha, Pearsrson Publication. 2005.
  5.  Microbials in Integrated Pest Management, (special Indian edition) edited by Ignacimuthu S, SEN A, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pv. Ltd. 2001
  6. Introduction to Biodeterioration (2nd edition) Allsopp D and Seal K J, Gaylarde C, Cambridge University Press, 2003
  7. Biofertilizers in Agriculture, Subba Rao.
REFERENCES: 

 

  1. Introduction to soil microbiology. Alexander, M John, Wiley & Sons. Inc., New York. (1977)
  2. Advances in Industrial Waste water treatment, First Edition, Technosound Publications. 1999
  3. Biofertilizers and Biopesticides Deshmukh AM, Technosciences Publications, 1998.

Academic Year: 
2015-2016
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