Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction -- 2. Microbiology -- 3. Environmental monitoring -- 4. Sewage treatment -- 5. Bioremediation -- 6. Biotechnology and sustainable technology -- 7. Biofuels -- 8. Natural resource recovery -- 9. Agricultural biotechnology -- 10. Biotechnology of the marine environment -- 11. Specific topics -- References -- Index. "Opening with an overview of environmental biotechnology, and a review of the key aspects of microbiology upon which the field is based, the book goes on to explore the diverse ways in which biotechnology is applied to tackle environmental problems and issues, from monitoring of the environment and treatment of waste, to the removal of pollutants and extraction of oil and minerals. The book closes with a discussion of two specific topics, the Exxon Valdez oil spill and acid mine drainage from the Wheal Jane mine in Cornwall, UK."--Jacket.