Biological Approaches to Manage Environmental Pollution

Description

Biological control is the employment of living things to keep pests under control. In order to decrease the number of pest organisms, a natural enemy, such as a parasite, predator, or disease organism, is either introduced into the environment of a pest or, if it is already there, is encouraged to grow and become more potent. Examples of biological control include the extermination of the citrophilus mealybug in California by the introduction of two parasitic species of chalcid wasps, Coccophagus gurney and Tetracnemus pretiosus; the efficient predation of an Australian ladybird beetle, or vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis), on the cottony cushion scale in California; and the restriction of the spread of the European rabbit in Australia by the introduction in environmental engineering. Pollution control refers to any of the many strategies used to reduce the harm done to the environment by releasing dangerous materials and energy. Refusing to use disposal methods like sanitary landfills, automotive emission control systems, sedimentation tanks in sewage systems, electrostatic precipitation of pollutants from industrial gas, or recycling are some examples of specific pollution control measures. As environmental pollution control technologies have advanced and gotten more expensive, there has been an increase in interest in designing industrial processes with prevention in mind to reduce adverse environmental effects while boosting industry competitiveness. Eliminating worker exposure to health risks is one of the advantages of pollution control strategies, clean technology, and a reduction in the use of toxins. Researchers, environmentalists, social activists, policy planners, and others will find this book a gold mine of knowledge.