Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

Biological wastewater treatment relies on the metabolic activity of microorganisms to remove pollutants from sewage. In modern treatment systems, this process is organized into sequential stages that progressively reduce solid material, dissolved organic matter, and microbial contamination. Each stage plays a distinct role in improving water quality and preparing the effluent for safe discharge or reuse.Primary and Secondary TreatmentPrimary treatment is a physical process that removes large...

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.

Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A monograph on the remediation of hazardous phthalates.

Journal of hazardous materials·2015

Same author

Ocular cysticercosis with vitreous hemorrhage: a rare complication of a common disease.

SpringerPlus·2015

Same author

Aggressive vertebral hemangioma in the postpartum period: an eye-opener.

Oxford medical case reports·2015

Same author

Acute aseptic meningitis due to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Oxford medical case reports·2015

Same author

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as presenting manifestation of small cell carcinoma lung.

Oxford medical case reports·2015

Same author

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass attenuates the progression of cardiometabolic complications in obese diabetic rats via alteration in gastrointestinal hormones.

Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery·2015

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Published on: April 26, 2024

Composting of municipal solid waste.

Sunil Kumar¹

¹National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) [Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)], Zonal Laboratory I-8, Sector "C", Kolkata, India. s_kumar@neeri.res.in

Critical Reviews in Biotechnology

|September 22, 2010

Summary

This review covers composting as a municipal solid waste (MSW) processing technology. It highlights nutrient recycling, waste minimization, and economic benefits, detailing process parameters and microbial aspects.

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Waste Management
Biotechnology

Background:

Municipal solid wastes (MSW) present significant disposal challenges.
Composting offers a sustainable technological option for MSW management.
Effective waste management is crucial for environmental protection and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the existing literature on the composting process for MSW.
To analyze key parameters influencing composting efficiency.
To explore microbial dynamics and patent landscape in MSW composting.

Main Methods:

Literature review of scientific studies on composting.
Analysis of process control and monitoring parameters (temperature, pH, moisture, aeration, porosity).

More Related Videos

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Published on: April 26, 2024

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

Review of microbial properties and vermicomposting techniques.

Examination of patents related to MSW composting.

Main Results:

Composting is economically viable and minimizes waste with environmental benefits.
Key parameters like temperature, pH, moisture, aeration, and porosity significantly impact the process.
Microbial communities play a vital role in waste decomposition.
Vermicomposting presents an alternative biological treatment method.
Patent analysis reveals ongoing innovation in MSW composting technologies.

Conclusions:

Composting is a significant and sustainable approach to MSW management.
Optimizing process parameters and understanding microbial ecology are essential for efficient composting.
Further research and technological advancements, as indicated by patent activity, will enhance MSW composting.