An Innovative Role of Biofiltration in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)

Many physico-chemical and operational factors influence the performance, treatment costs and long-term stability of biofilters for the treatment of wastewater. An Innovative Role of Biofiltration in Wastewater Treatment Plants focuses on identifying the factors that affect biofiltration, such as the hydraulic retention time of the biofiltration system, the type and characteristics of the filter and the attached biomass, explains their influence and provides guidelines on how to control these factors to optimize better operation with respect to pollutant control present in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The fundamental basis of treatment in biofilters is the action of pollutant-degrading microorganisms and consequently the book also discusses in depth about the microbial ecology of biofiltration. In addition, it explores the applications of biofiltration including the removal of emerging pollutants.

Dr. Maulin P. Shah is a distinguished environmental scientist, academician, and globally recognized expert in the fields of environmental biotechnology and sustainable
wastewater treatment. He has made significant contributions to advancing eco-friendly
technologies for pollution control, particularly through innovative biological treatment processes. Dr. Shah holds extensive academic and research experience, with a strong focus on
industrial wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and microalgae-based technologies. His work emphasizes the integration of sustainability principles with practical engineering solutions, helping industries reduce their environmental footprint.
Remarkably, Dr. Shah has edited over 300+ books covering a wide spectrum of cutting-edge domains, including industrial wastewater microbiology, bioremediation, biodegradation, algal biotechnology, biofuel, bioenergy, circular economy, metagenomics related to wastewater treatment, and enzyme engineering. This exceptional editorial contribution reflects his deep expertise and unparalleled commitment to advancing global knowledge in environmental science.
Over the years, he has also authored and contributed to numerous high-impact
research papers and scholarly books published by reputed international publishers. His
publications are widely cited and serve as essential references for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals worldwide.
He is actively associated as an Editorial Board Member in more than 30 high-reputed
international journals affiliated with leading organizations and publishers.
His extensive editorial involvement
highlights his leadership and recognition in the global scientific community.
Dr. Shah is widely recognized for his collaborative research with leading scientists
across the globe, promoting interdisciplinary solutions to complex environmental challenges.
His work effectively bridges the gap between fundamental research and real-world industrial
applications. In addition to his research excellence, he has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences, where he shares valuable insights on sustainable development, wastewater management, and environmental innovation. He is also deeply committed to mentoring students and young researchers, fostering academic growth and inspiring future leaders in environmental science and engineering.
Beyond academia, Dr. Shah contributes to industry-oriented solutions and policy-
relevant research aimed at environmental protection, resource recovery, and sustainable
development. Through his relentless dedication and visionary approach, Dr. Maulin P. Shah
has established himself as a leading authority in environmental sustainability, committed to
building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Susana Rodríguez-Couto is a professor in biological water treatment at LUT University, Finland. She got her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry (Industrial Chemistry) from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 1992 and her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1999 from the University of Vigo, obtaining the maximal grade (magna cum laude) and, in addition, she was awarded with the Extraordinary Prize for Doctoral Thesis in Chemistry. She worked as an Associate Professor and an Isidro Parga Pondal Senior Researcher at the University of Vigo (2000-2004), as a Ramón y Cajal Senior Researcher at Rovira i Virgili University (2004-2008) and as an Ikerbasque Research Professor (2009-2019). She has also worked as an Invited Researcher at the Institute from Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology (Austria) and at the Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho (Portugal). In 2008, she received the I3 Professor from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education to the recognition of an outstanding research activity. She has published more than 140 articles in highly reputed international journals (h index 42). She is editor of several journals (3Biotech, Frontiers) and 14 Elsevier books.

Prof. (Dr.) Jayanta Kumar Biswas is a Professor at Department of Ecological Studies and International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India. He obtained M.Sc. in Zoology, M.Phil. in Ecology and Ph.D. for his work on Eco technological management of aquatic systems. His spectrum of research interest and expertise span the following focal areas: ecotoxicology and bioremediation of toxic metal(loid)s; ecological engineering and eco technological remediation of water and soil contaminants; environmental microbiology; Nano biotechnology; dynamics of nutrients and toxic contaminants in water and soil; bio regenerative reclamation of wastewater. A consistent rank holder all through his academic career Professor Biswas received many scholarships, awards and fellowships including Fellow, West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology (FAScT), Fellow, National Environmentalists Association (FNEA), Zoological Society of India (FZSI), Zoological Society, Kolkata (FZS), Senior Scientist Award & Gold Medal (ZSI), Best Research Paper Award (AESA), Outstanding Reviewer Award (Chemosphere (Elsevier) & Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Springer); SRF (ICAR); National Merit Scholarship (MHRD, GoI), etc. He is credited with publishing 130 research papers in international and national journals. He is serving as editorial board member of several international journals of repute, namely Science of the Total Environment (Elsevier); Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Springer); Current Pollution Reports (Springer); Energy & Environment (SAGE). He visited several countries with government travel fellowships, to present research papers and chair scientific sessions in International conferences.