Chapters authored
Algal Biorefinery: A Synergetic Sustainable Solution to Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production
In the recent years, due to heavy surge in the price of petrochemical products, researchers are getting interest towards renewable bioenergy resources such as algal-based biomass. In order to meet a world energy demand, current bioeconomy challenges and to produce valuable products, intensive and integrated research on algal biorefinery is highly required. Even though several research carried out study for the conversion of algae biomass to biofuel, but none of these proved economically viable. Hence, range of value added product (biodiesel, biochar, fertilizer, etc.) must be produced subsequently from algae. The utilization of microalgae for biomass production is better than agricultural crops as microalgae do not required fresh water for its growth, it can readily grow on wastewater throughout the year. Generation of wastewater is severe concern throughout the world and discharge of wastewater without proper treatment in to water bodies causes water pollution. Microalgae bear vast potential in significantly deescalating pollutant load (nitrate, TDS, ammonium, phosphate, organic load) from wastewater. The harvested algal biomass after remediation has significance role in producing biofuels and by-products in a sustainable way. In this chapter, emphasis would be given on role of algae in wastewater treatment and its biorefinary approach for sustainable energy development.
Part of the book: Progress in Microalgae Research
Soil Amendments: An Ecofriendly Approach for Soil Health Improvement and Sustainable Oilseed Production
Oilseed crops are major part of human diet providing energy, used for cosmetics, health supplements and other purposes. Intensive agricultural practices, overexploitation of natural resource and climate change pattern have adverse impact on soil health, thus becoming serious concern for oilseed crop production and livelihood security of farmers. Maintenance of soil health with amendments can restore, revitalize and regain the soil quality for sustainable agriculture. Soil amendments, therefore have definite advantage by improving soil health and facilitating nutrient supply to oilseed crops. Soil organic amendments such as animal manure, compost, vermicompost, biosolids/sewage sludge, biochar etc. and inorganic amendments such as gypsum, zeolite, pyrite etc. are the most commonly available amendments which can be directly applied to soil after treatments. Direct and indirect effect of soil amendments on soil chemical, physical and biological properties significantly influences soil-plant-continuum, beneficial for soil health improvement, carbon sequestration and oilseed yield improvement. Soil organic amendments could substitute nearly 25–50% of synthetic fertilizers, enhance nutrient use efficiency and influencing oilseed yield response. Soil amendments may sustain or increase oilseed productivity at reduced production and environmental cost, thus, improve soil health and water use efficiency and its quality, and mitigating climate change impact.
Part of the book: Oilseed Crops