Geomicrobiology Fourth Edition

Maintaining the qualities that sent previous editions into multiple printings, this edition continues to explore the role that microbes have played in specific geological processes. The author discusses acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria, acidophilic iron- and metal sulfide-oxidation, and the geomicrobiology of bauxites. He covers geomicrobial methods, mineral formation and transformation, biodegradation or transformation of organics and inorganics, carbonates, silicates, phosphates, metal-oxides, and metal-sulfides, and practical applications of geomicrobial processes. The book includes end-of-chapter summaries, 2800 up-to-date literature citations, and a glossary.

Uncovers the Key Role Microbes Play in the Transformation of Oxidizable and Reducible MineralsMany areas of geomicrobial processes are receiving serious attention from microbiologists, specifically the role microbes play in the formation and degradation of minerals and fossil fuels and elemental cycling. Most notably, the latest research finds that

This textbook describes geomicrobial activities in relation to geologically important classes of substance or elements. The main subject is the bio-oxidation and bio-reduction of such materials as silicon, nitrogen, mercury, iron, manganese, and metal sulfides. The fourth edition incorporates new findings in the field, and adds a chapter on the role of microbes in the formation of bauxite. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

Advances in geomicrobiology have progressed at an accelerated pace in recent years. Ehrlich's Geomicrobiology, Sixth Edition surveys various aspects of the field, including the microbial role in elemental cycling and in the formation and degradation of minerals and fossil fuels. Unlike the fifth edition, the sixth includes many expert contributors

Geomicrobiology is a combination of geology and microbiology, and includes the study of interaction of microorganisms with their environment, such as in sedimentary rocks. This is a new and rapidly-developing field that has led in the past decade to a radically-revised view of the diversity and activity of microbial life on Earth. Geomicrobiology e

Advances in the field of geomicrobiology have progressed at an accelerated pace in recent years. Important new discoveries have been made and understandings gained in a number of areas of the field. This sixth edition surveys various aspects of geomicrobiology, including the microbial role in the formation and degradation of minerals and fossil fuels, and elemental cycling.

The interaction of microorganisms with geological activities results in processes influencing development of the Earth’s geo- and biospheres. In assessing these microbial functions, scientists have explored short- and longterm geological changes attributed to microorganisms and developed new approaches to evaluate the physiology of microbes including microbial interaction with the geological environment. As the field of geomicrobiology developed, it has become highly interdisciplinary and this book provides a review of the recent developments in a cross section of topics including origin of life, microbial-mineral interactions and microbial processes functioning in marine as well as terrestrial environments. A major component of this book addresses molecular techniques to evaluate microbial evolution and assess relationships of microbes in complex, natural c- munities. Recent developments in so-called ‘omics’ technologies, including (meta) genomics and (meta)proteomics, and isotope labeling methods allow new insights into the function of microbial community members and their possible geological impact. While this book summarizes current knowledge in various areas, it also reveals unresolved questions that require future investigations. Information in these chapters enhances our fundamental knowledge of geomicrobiology that contributes to the exploitation of microbial functions in mineral and environmental biotechn- ogy applications. It is our hope that this book will stimulate interest in the general field of geomicrobiology and encourage others to explore microbial processes as applied to the Earth.