Topics in Ecological and Environmental Microbiology

Topics in Ecological and Environmental Microbiology provides an overview of ecological aspects of the metabolism and behavior of microbes, microbial habitats, biogeochemical cycles, and biotechnology. This essential reference was designed by selecting relevant chapters from the authoritative and comprehensive Encyclopedia of Microbiology, 3rd edn., and inviting the original authors to update their material to include key developments and advances in the field. This concise and affordable book is an essential reference for students and researchers in microbiology, mycology, immunology, environmental sciences, and biotechnology.

Written by recognized authorities in the fieldIncludes topics such as air quality, marine habitats, food webs, and microbial adhesionProvides a thematic mix of both classic and cutting -edge reviews, with suggested further reading in each chapter

Part I. Microbial Ecology

• Principles of Microbial Ecology
• Microbial Food Webs
• Biofilms
• Microbial Mats
• Horizontal Gene Transfer: Uptake of Extracellular DNA by Bacteria  
• Picoeukaryotes
• Algal Blooms
• Environmental Viral Pool
• Aeromicrobiology
• Endophytic Microbes

Part II. Metabolism and Behavior of Diverse Microbes

• Methanogenesis
• Methanotrophy
• Microbial Photosynthesis
• Regulation of Carbon Assimilation
• Microbial Resistance to Heavy Metals
• Microbial Adhesion
• Bacterial Bioluminescence
• Magnetotaxis
• Quorum Sensing
• Chemotaxis

Part III. Microbial Habitats

• Acid Environments
• Hot environments
• Cold Environments
• Dry Environments (including Cryptoendoliths)
• Marine Habitats
• High-Pressure Habitats
• The Deep Sub-surface
• Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents
• Freshwater Habitats
• Low-Nutrient Environments
• Sediment Habitats
• The Rhizosphere

Part IV. Biogeochemical Cycles and their Consequences

• The Nitrogen Cycle
• The Phosphorus cycle
• The Sulfur Cycle
• Cycling of Some Redox-Active Metals
• Heavy Metal Pollutants: Environmental and Biotechnological Aspects

Part V. Biotechnological Topics

• Biodeterioration-including Cultural Heritage
• Bisensors
• Gnotiobiotic and Axenic Animals
• Microbial Corrosion
• Petroleum Microbiology
• Metal Extraction and Biomining
• Industrial Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment of Non-Infectious Hazards
• Drinking Water
• Spacecraft Associated Microbes
• Biological Warfare