Stressing the potential application of biochemical processes in soil to environmental biotechnology, this state-of-the-art reference considers the vital role that such biochemical processes have in the environment - emphasizing the activity of micro-organisms in soil., An up-to-date analysis of biological reactions in soil, Volume 8 of Soil Biochemistry highlights: traditional as well as molecular and immunlogical techniques for detecting specific micro-organisms in soil, the fate of introduced genetically-modified organisms, the problem of competition by the indigenous microbial populations with the introduced organisms, the use of a white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, for bioremediative purposes in soil, the interaction of xenobiotics, such as pesticides, with soil organisms, generic microbial metabolism and degradation pathways, the inhibition of the nitrification process by allelochemicals released by plants, the microbial mineralization of various compounds under anaerobic conditions, explaining its importance in the global carbon cycle, the formation of soil organic matter, particularly in forest soils, and CPMAS 13C-NMR spectroscopy, a major analytical technique to determine the chemicals or chemical groups involved in the humification process., Presenting a multidisciplinary approach to the field by internationally acclaimed scientists, Soil Biochemistry, Volume 8 is intended for professionals and students in the fields of soil science, microbiology, biochemistry, environmental science, engineering and technology, biogeochemistry, biotechnology, agronomy, plant pathology, and microbial ecology.