From the contents: Soil Sampling and Storage.- Determination of Chemical and Physical Soil Properties.- Quantification of Soil Contamination.- Immunotechniques as a Tool for Detection of Hydrocarbons.- Feasibility Studies for Microbial Remediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil.- Feasibility Studies for Microbial Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Soil.- Feasibility Studies for Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soil.- Quantification of Hydrocarbon Biodegradation Using Internal Markers.- Assessment of Hydrocarbon Biodegradation Potential Using Radiorespirometry.- Molecular Techniques for Monitoring and Assessing Soil Bioremediation.- Bioreporter Technology for Monitoring Soil Bioremediation.- Interpretation of Fatty Acid Profiles of Soil Microorganisms.- Enumeration of Soil Microorganisms.- Quantification of Soil Microbial Biomass by Fumigation-Extraction.- Determination of Adenylates and Adenylate Energy Charge.- Determination of Aerobic N-Mineralization.- Determination of Enzyme Activities in Contaminated Soil.- Assessment of Ecotoxicity of Contaminated Soil using Bioassays.

Reliable methods for monitoring and assessing soil quality are a prerequisite for successful soil bioremediation projects. The fifth volume of Soil Biology presents detailed descriptions of selected methods for evaluating, monitoring and assessing bioremediation treatments of soils contaminated with organic pollutants or heavy metals.
Traditional soil investigation techniques, including chemical, physical and microbiological methods, are complemented by the most suitable modern methods, such as the use of bioreporter technology, immunological, ecotoxicological or molecular assays. Feasibility studies for bioremediation treatments complete the manual. Easy-to-follow protocols with step-by-step procedures, lists of the required equipment and reagents as well as notes on the evaluation and quality control allow immediate application. Short introductions to the principles and objectives help to assess the field of application of each procedure.