Topics In Ecological And Environmental Microbiology

This book provides an overview of ecological aspects of the metabolism and behavior of microbes, microbial habitats, biogeochemical cycles, and biotechnology. It was designed by selecting relevant chapters from the comprehensive Encyclopedia of Microbiology, 3rd edn., and inviting the original authors to update their material to include key developments and advances in the field.

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.

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.

Environmental Microbiology: Advanced Research and Multidisciplinary Applications focus on the current research on microorganisms in the environment. Contributions in the volume cover several aspects of applied microbial research, basic research on microbial ecology and molecular genetics. The reader will find a collection of topics with theoretical and practical value, allowing them to connect environmental microbiology to a variety of subjects in life sciences, ecology, and environmental science topics. Advanced topics including biogeochemical cycling, microbial biosensors, bioremediation, application of microbial biofilms in bioremediation, application of microbial surfactants, microbes for mining and metallurgical operations, valorization of waste, and biodegradation of aromatic waste, microbial communication, nutrient cycling and biotransformation are also covered. The content is designed for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and environmental professionals, with a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of environmental microbiology as a discipline that has greatly expanded in scope and interest over the past several decades.

The nature and scope of the text The environment in which we live has to a large extent been determined by the activities of innumerable organisms interacting with each other and with their immediate surroundings. From the point of view of the microbiologist, it is obvious that microbial activity has a great part to play in the continuing maintenance of conditions suitable for other forms of life on this planet. There has therefore always been an awareness of the need for a good understanding of how microorganisms react in the environ ment, and this has been heightened from time to time as detrimental microbial activities become evident under certain conditions. The need for a good understanding has recently assumed a new importance as the era of microbial manipulation dawns-microbiology has always been a practical discipline, and the possibilities of beneficial modification on a global scale may be within our grasp. The growing interest in environmental microbiology can be gauged from the increase in relevant undergraduate teaching. However, one of the most serious problems confronting the student is the dearth of appropriate texts. In part this is a reflection of the plethora of potential subject matter. The study of the relationships of microorganisms with each other and with their environments-"microbial ecology" -constitutes a subject area which is far from precisely circumscribed, and each researcher or teacher has his own personal notion of which topics are appropriate.

The bestselling reference on environmental microbiology—now in a new edition This is the long-awaited and much-anticipated revision of the bestselling text and reference. Based on the latest information and investigative techniques from molecular biology and genetics, this Second Edition offers an in-depth examination of the role of microbiological processes related to environmental deterioration with an emphasis on the detection and control of environmental contaminants. Its goal is to further our understanding of the complex microbial processes underlying environmental degradation, its detection and control, and ultimately, its prevention. Features new to this edition include: A completely new organization with topics such as pathogens in developing countries, effects of genetically modified crops on microbial communities, and transformations of toxic metals Comprehensive coverage of key topics such as bacteria in the greenhouse and low-energy waste treatment New coverage relating core book content to local, regional, and global environmental problems Environmental Microbiology, Second Edition is essential reading for environmental microbiologists and engineers, general environmental scientists, chemists, and chemical engineers who are interested in key current subjects in environmental microbiology. It is also appropriate as a textbook for courses in environmental science, chemistry, engineering, and microbial ecology at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.

This book covers the ecological activities of microbes in the biosphere with an emphasis on microbial interactions within their environments and communities In thirteen concise and timely chapters, Microbial Ecology presents a broad overview of this rapidly growing field, explaining the basic principles in an easy-to-follow manner. Using an integrative approach, it comprehensively covers traditional issues in ecology as well as cutting-edge content at the intersection of ecology, microbiology, environmental science and engineering, and molecular biology. Examining the microbial characteristics that enable microbes to grow in different environments, the book provides insights into relevant methodologies for characterization of microorganisms in the environment. The authors draw upon their extensive experience in teaching microbiology to address the latest hot-button topics in the field, such as: Ecology of microorganisms in natural and engineered environments Advances in molecular-based understanding of microbial phylogeny and interactions Microbially driven biogeochemical processes and interactions among microbial populations and communities Microbial activities in extreme or unusual environments Ecological studies pertaining to animal, plant, and insect microbiology Microbial processes and interactions associated with environmental pollution Designed for use in teaching, Microbial Ecology offers numerous special features to aid both students and instructors, including: Information boxes that highlight key microbial ecology issues "Microbial Spotlights" that focus on how prominent microbial ecologists became interested in microbial ecology Examples that illustrate the role of bacterial interaction with humans Exercises to promote critical thinking Selected reading lists Chapter summaries and review questions for class discussion Various microbial interactions and community structures are presented through examples and illustrations. Also included are mini case studies that address activities of microorganisms in specific environments, as well as a glossary and key words. All these features make this an ideal textbook for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students in biology, microbiology, ecology, or environmental science. It also serves as a highly useful reference for scientists and environmental professionals.

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