The process of biofiltration involves the separation of fluids (i.e., water/gases) of interest from its heterogeneous mixture, fluids from the particulates/colloids with the aid of heterogeneous/homogeneous microbial culture immobilized on a permeable/semipermeable/impermeable surface or medium. It is a conglomeration of physical, chemical, and microbial action in the presence of moisture/water, macronutrients, and micronutrients. This technique has been widely applied for the decomposition of easily degradable and persistent aquatic pollutants, energy generation via anaerobic digestion, physical separation of particulate matter from water, reduction in the population of pathogenic microbes in wastewater and drinking water, fractionation of gases, removal of impurities from the air, and scrubbing of the foul odor from gases. This review chapter aims to present a basic understanding of the biofiltration technique and its application toward the treatment of wastewater. The chapter also discusses the application of a variety of biofilters such as anaerobic, aerobic, bacterial, algal, and mixotrophic biofilters for sewage treatment.@en

Many industrial processes use water as a solvent and therefore produce wastewater containing chemicals from that process. The amounts of these chemicals and the types will vary hugely depending on the industry and the processes running and may include things that are hazardous to health or the environment. This makes the treatment of industrial wastewater both extremely important and highly complex. One route for industrial wastewater treatment is the use of bioreactors. Biological Treatment of Industrial Wastewater presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advances and trends in the use of bioreactors for treating industrial wastewater. Several different types of bioreactor and their applications are discussed, alongside trends and considerations important in designing bioreactors. Bringing together a wealth of different approaches and voices this book will be a useful resource for anyone working in water treatment or looking at how industrial processes can be made more environmentally friendly.@en