The Structure and Function of Aquatic Microbial Communities

This book discusses how aquatic microbial communities develop interactive metabolic coordination both within and between species to optimize their energetics. It explains that microbial community structuration often includes functional stratification among a multitude of organisms that variously exist either suspended in the water, lodged in sediments, or bound to one another as biofilms on solid surfaces. The authors describe techniques that can be used for preparing and distributing microbiologically safe drinking water, which presents the challenge of successfully removing the pathogenic members of the aquatic microbial community and then safely delivering that water to consumers. Drinking water distribution systems have their own microbial ecology, which we must both understand and control in order to maintain the safety of the water supply. Since studying aquatic microorganisms often entails identifying them, the book also discusses techniques for successfully isolating and cultivating bacteria. As such, it appeals to microbiologists, microbial ecologists and water quality scientists.

Provides new insights into the structure of microbial communities Discusses techniques for preparing and distributing microbiologically safe drinking water Describes techniques for isolating and cultivating microbes

Autorentext
Christon J. Hurst Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

and

Universidad del Valle, Santiago de Cali, Valle, Colombia e-mail: christonjhurst@fuse.net

Inhalt

• Understanding Aquatic Microbial Communities. - Relationship Between Lifestyle and Structure of Bacterial Communities and Their Functionality in Aquatic Systems. - Biofilms: Besieged Cities or Thriving Ports?. - Complex Structure but Simple Function in Microbial Mats from Antarctic Lakes. - Fungal Decomposers in Freshwater Environments. - The Ecology of Methanogenic Archaea in a Nutrient-Impacted Wetland. - Briefly Summarizing Our Understanding of Vibrio cholerae and the Disease Cholera. - Options for Providing Microbiologically Safe Drinking Water. - Microbiome of Drinking Water Distribution Systems. - Isolation and Cultivation of Bacteria.