Environmental Microbiology Fundamentals And Applications

This book is a treatise on microbial ecology that covers traditional and cutting-edge issues in the ecology of microbes in the biosphere. It emphasizes on study tools, microbial taxonomy and the fundamentals of microbial activities and interactions within their communities and environment as well as on the related food web dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. The work exceeds the traditional domain of microbial ecology by revisiting the evolution of cellular prokaryotes and eukaryotes and stressing the general principles of ecology. The overview of the topics, authored by more than 80 specialists, is one of the broadest in the field of environmental microbiology. The overview of the topics, authored by more than 80 specialists, is one of the broadest in the field of environmental microbiology.

1. Introduction and History of Microbiology, 2. Origin and Evolution of Microorganisms, 3. Microbial Taxonomy, 4. Viruses: Nature, Classification, Morphology and Synthesis, 5. Bacteriophages, 6. Viruses of Eucaryotes, 7. Mycoplasmas and Mycoplasmas Viruses, 8. Mycobacteria, Myxobacteria, Rickettsiae and Chlamydiae, 9. Bacteria: Classification, Nomenclature and Identification, 10. Bacteria: Eubacteria, 11. The Bacteria: Archaeobacteria, Actinomycetes, Atinoplanetes and Maduromycetes, 12. Cyanobacteria, 13. Eucaryota: Algae, 14. Eucaryota: Fungi, 15. Protozoa, 16. Biology of Lichens, 17. Growth and Differentiation, Nutrition, Respiration and Photosynthesis of Microorganisms, 18. Genetics of Microorganisms, 19. Mutations in Microorganisms, 20. Methods of Sterilization and Disinfestation, 21. Environmental Microbiology, 22. Soil Microbiology: General, 23. Soil Microbiology Geochemical Cycles, 24. Microbiology of Air, 25. Microbiology of Water, 26. Microbiology of Food, 27. Microbiology of Dairy and Dairy Products, 28. Microorganisms and Deases in Man: Basic Concepts, 29. Human Pathogenic Viruses, 30. Human Pathogenic Bacteria, 31. Human Pathogenic Protozoa, 32. Microorganisms and Plant Diseases, 33. Plant Pathogenic Viruses, 34. Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 35. Plant Pathogenic Fungi, 36. Concepts of Immunology and Serology, 37. Immunity, Vaccine, Toxoids, Interferon and Interference, 38. Antimicrobial Drugs, 39. Microbes in Economic Use, 40. Microbes and Genetic Engineering, 41. Microbes and Biotechnology: Industrial Enzymes and Fermentation Technology, 42. Microbes and Biotechnology: Production of Microbial Biocides, 43. Microbes and Biotechnology Environmental Protection, 44. Biosensors, Biochips, Biofilms and Biosurfactents, 45. Glossary.

The 4th edition of Microbial Ecology features enhanced coverage of biofilms, thermal vent communities, extreme habitats, starvation response, molecular methods for studying microbial ecology and biodiversity, biodegradation and bioremediation.

This book provides the basics as well as new ideas in Environmental Microbiology in a narrative and lucid style. The relationship between microbes and the environment are demonstrated in a clear and simplified manner. The modern techniques and designs employed in microbiological applications are discussed in a comprehensive manner which will update the readers of the commercial aspects of microbiology.

This introductory text on microbiology includes chapters on visualization and structure of microorganisms; microbial growth and metabolism; microbial genetics; environmental microbiology; food and industrial microbiology; and medical microbiology.

For microbiology and environmental microbiology courses, this leading textbook builds on the academic success of the previous edition by including a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of environmental microbiology as a discipline that has grown in scope and interest in recent years. From environmental science and microbial ecology to topics in molecular genetics, this edition relates environmental microbiology to the work of a variety of life science, ecology, and environmental science investigators. The authors and editors have taken the care to highlight links between environmental microbiology and topics important to our changing world such as bioterrorism and national security with sections on practical issues such as bioremediation, waterborne pathogens, microbial risk assessment, and environmental biotechnology. WHY ADOPT THIS EDITION? New chapters on: Urban Environmental Microbiology Bacterial Communities in Natural Ecosystems Global Change and Microbial Infectious Disease Microorganisms and Bioterrorism Extreme Environments (emphasizing the ecology of these environments) Aquatic Environments (now devoted to its own chapter- was combined with Extreme Environments) Updates to Methodologies: Nucleic Acid -Based Methods: microarrays, phyloarrays, real-time PCR, metagomics, and comparative genomics Physiological Methods: stable isotope fingerprinting and functional genomics and proteomics-based approaches Microscopic Techniques: FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) and atomic force microscopy Cultural Methods: new approaches to enhanced cultivation of environmental bacteria Environmental Sample Collection and Processing: added section on air sampling

An authoritative overview of the ecological activities of microbes in the biosphere Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology presents a broad overview of microbial activity and microbes' interactions with their environments and communities. Adopting an integrative approach, this text covers both conventional ecological issues as well as cross-disciplinary investigations that combine facets of microbiology, ecology, environmental science and engineering, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Focusing primarily on single-cell forms of prokaryotes — and cellular forms of algae, fungi, and protozoans — this book enables readers to gain insight into the fundamental methodologies for the characterization of microorganisms in the biosphere. The authors draw from decades of experience to examine the environmental processes mediated by microorganisms and explore the interactions between microorganisms and higher life forms. Highly relevant to modern readers, this book examines topics including the ecology of microorganisms in engineered environments, microbial phylogeny and interactions, microbial processes in relation to environmental pollution, and many more. Now in its second edition, this book features updated references and major revisions to chapters on assessing microbial communities, community relationships, and their global impact. New content such as effective public communication of research findings and advice on scientific article review equips readers with practical real-world skills. Explores the activities of microorganisms in specific environments with case studies and actual research data Highlights how prominent microbial biologists address significant microbial ecology issues Offers guidance on scientific communication, including scientific presentations and grant preparation Includes plentiful illustrations and examples of microbial interactions, community structures, and human-bacterial connections Provides chapter summaries, review questions, selected reading lists, a complete glossary, and critical thinking exercises Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology is an ideal textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in biology, microbiology, ecology, and environmental science, while also serving as a current and informative reference for microbiologists, cell and molecular biologists, ecologists, and environmental professionals.