Pesticide Contamination in Freshwater and Soil Environs: Impacts, Threats, and Sustainable Remediation

Pesticide contamination from agricultural activities is a major concern, and this book explores sustainable and advanced remediation technologies to address this issue. It provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and measures involved in bioremediation and remediation, including the use of beneficial microorganisms, polymeric nanocomposites, phytoremediation, and more.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Apple Academic Press Inc.

The agricultural industry heavily relies on pesticide chemicals to address the damage caused by pests, making this new volume an essential resource. It delves into the challenges faced in pesticide remediation, exploring innovative solutions like beneficial microorganisms, polymeric nanocomposites for nanoremediation, phytoremediation, and more. The book examines pesticide contamination in diverse agricultural settings and presents sustainable and eco-friendly remediation approaches. It offers a comprehensive spectrum of concepts, ideas, and knowledge on the detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment and human health, shedding light on sustainable and advanced pesticide remediation technologies. This publication fills a gap in the existing literature and is invaluable for academicians, researchers, agriculturists, and students alike.

Introduction:
The agricultural industry plays a pivotal role in meeting the global food demand, but it also contributes to environmental degradation through the use of pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests, weeds, and other organisms that can harm crops and livestock. However, their excessive use and improper disposal can lead to pesticide contamination, which poses significant risks to human health and the environment.

Challenges in Pesticide Remediation:
Pesticide remediation is a complex and challenging task due to the wide range of pesticides used, their persistence in the environment, and the diverse environmental conditions in which they are found. The primary challenges include:

• Identification and quantification of pesticide residues: Accurate identification and quantification of pesticide residues in soil, water, and other environmental matrices is essential for determining the extent of contamination and developing effective remediation strategies.
  
• Selective remediation: Different pesticides have different physicochemical properties and toxicological effects, making it difficult to develop a single remediation approach that is effective for all types of contamination.
  
• Cost-effectiveness: Remediation of pesticide-contaminated sites can be expensive, and the cost-effectiveness of remediation strategies needs to be considered to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
  
• Public health and safety: The health and safety of the public and workers involved in pesticide remediation is of paramount importance. Effective remediation strategies must minimize the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
  

Bioremediation and Remediation Measures:
Bioremediation is a natural process in which living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and plants, are used to remove or degrade pollutants from the environment. It has been used successfully in the remediation of pesticide-contaminated sites. Some of the commonly used bioremediation techniques include:

• Microbial degradation: Bacteria and fungi are capable of degrading a wide range of pesticides, including organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. Microbial degradation can be achieved through the application of inoculants or the stimulation of natural microbial populations.
  
• Phytoremediation: Plants, such as grasses, trees, and shrubs, have the ability to absorb and accumulate pesticides from the environment. Phytoremediation can be used to remove pesticides from soil, water, and other environmental matrices.
  
• Mycoremediation: Mycoremediation involves the use of fungi to degrade and remove pollutants from the environment. Fungi can be grown on contaminated substrates and can effectively remove pesticides and other pollutants.
  
• Bioaugmentation: Bioaugmentation involves the introduction of specific bacteria or fungi to the environment to enhance the natural degradation of pesticides. This technique can be used to accelerate the remediation process.
  

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Remediation Approaches:
In addition to bioremediation, there are several sustainable and eco-friendly remediation approaches that can be used to address pesticide contamination. These include:

• Phytostabilization: Phytostabilization involves the use of plants to stabilize and immobilize pesticides in soil and water. This technique can be used to reduce the mobility and bioavailability of pesticides, making them less toxic to the environment.
  
• Landscape restoration: Landscape restoration involves the restoration of natural habitats and the planting of native species to enhance biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience. This can help to reduce the impact of pesticide contamination on wildlife and improve soil quality.
  
• Waste management: Proper waste management practices, such as recycling, composting, and incineration, can help to reduce the amount of pesticide waste that ends up in the environment. This can help to minimize the potential for pesticide contamination.
  

Conclusion:
Pesticide contamination is a significant environmental concern that requires urgent attention. Bioremediation and remediation measures, such as the use of beneficial microorganisms, polymeric nanocomposites for nanoremediation, phytoremediation, and sustainable and eco-friendly remediation approaches, offer promising solutions to address this problem. However, further research and development are needed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these approaches and to ensure that they are implemented in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.

Weight: 772g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771889537