Bio-Inspired Land Remediation

Land is a vital resource for human life, providing food and supporting sustainable livelihoods. However, land pollution is a significant issue worldwide, resulting from urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. Major contaminants include metalloids, petroleum hydrocarbons, radioactive elements, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other organic pollutants. Remediation and management of polluted land are essential for protecting land quality and functions and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Bio-inspired land remediation, such as phytoremediation, bioremediation, vermiremediation, biochar-based remediation, and other bio-inspired approaches, has undergone significant development and holds great potential for securing the upper earth's surface. This book explores these remediation methods and their applications.

Format: Hardback
Length: 478 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Land, a fundamental component of human existence, holds immense importance in our daily lives. The upper layer of land, a non-renewable resource, serves as a vital source of food, ensuring our long-term food security and supporting sustainable livelihoods. However, the rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have led to the emergence of land pollution as a pressing global issue. This pollution not only affects the health of the land but also poses significant risks to human well-being and the environment.

Land pollution can arise from both anthropogenic and natural activities. Metalloids, petroleum hydrocarbons, radioactive elements, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, and other organic pollutants are the primary contaminants responsible for land pollution. These pollutants originate from various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural practices, improper waste disposal, and natural processes.

In urban and peri-urban areas, irrigation of agricultural land with polluted water contributes to land pollution. This practice not only degrades the quality of the soil but also disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, land security has become an essential concern for sustainable development. Remediating and managing polluted land is crucial to protect the quality and functions of the land, which are vital for supporting life and achieving the United Nations-Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).

Bio-inspired land remediation has witnessed significant advancements, offering promising solutions to address land pollution. By drawing inspiration from natural processes and ecosystems, bio-inspired approaches aim to restore the health and productivity of polluted land. Phytoremediation, in particular, has gained attention as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for removing contaminants from soil and water.

Biomanagement, a multidisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering, and environmental science, holds immense potential in securing the upper earth's surface through land remediation programs. By implementing targeted land remediation programs during the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), biomanagement can help restore degraded land, promote biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services.

This book explores the various aspects of land remediation, including phytoremediation, bioremediation, and soil remediation. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and strategies used to address land pollution, highlighting the importance of sustainable land management practices and the role of technology in achieving land remediation goals.

In conclusion, land pollution is a significant global issue that requires urgent attention. Remediating and managing polluted land is essential for promoting sustainable development, protecting human health, and preserving the environment. Bio-inspired land remediation, coupled with biomanagement, holds the potential to restore degraded land, promote biodiversity, and achieve the UN-SDGs. By adopting sustainable practices and implementing innovative solutions, we can work towards a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Weight: 916g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031049309
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023