Microbial Ecology

"The essays that comprise this anthology of the best in ecology from Critical Reviews in Microbiology describe principles and practices in considerable detail. There is no attempt, however at a balanced presentation of the different groups of microorganisms or their activities. Likewise, some areas of current concern are considered cursorily and others not at all. Nevertheless, the book is an interesting and informative introduction to a growing endeavour. The combined experience and insight of the contributing authors will surely aid the reader to develop an ecological attitude, and to better appreciate microorganisms as determinants of environmental quality."--Provided by publisher Cover 1 Title 2 Copyright 3 AUTHORS AND CONTRIBUTORS 4 THE EDITORS 4 INTRODUCTION 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 INTERACTIONS OF HALOGENATED PESTICIDES AND MICROORGANISMS: A REVIEW 10 The Effects of Halogenated Compounds on Microorganisms 10 Metabolism of Halogenated Pesticides 14 Biodegradation of Pesticides 21 Conversion of DDT to DDD 23 Microbial Accumulation of Pesticides 27 Toxicity 31 Anaerobic Activity 31 Persistence of Pesticides 33 The Effects of Pesticides on Photosynthesis 33 Effects on Nitrogen Metabolism 33 Summary 35 List of Halogenated Pesticides 37 Articles Reviewed 39 References 42 BIOCHEMICAL TRANSFORMATION OF PESTICIDES BY SOIL FUNGI 43 Introduction 43 Oxidation Reactions 44 Dealkylation 44 Hydroxylation Reactions 50 Attack on Aromatic Ring 53 Epoxidation 57 β-Oxidation 57 Hydrolytic Reaction 58 Reduction Processes 59 Synthetic Mechanisms 61 Conclusions 62 References 64 ACTIVITY, ECOLOGY, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MICROORGANISMS IN SOIL 66 I: Introduction 66 II: Factors Affecting Microorganisms in Soil 68 A: Substrate 68 B: Mineral Nutrients 70 C: Growth Factors 71 D: Ionic Composition 72 E: Water 73 F: Temperature 75 G: Pressure 77 H: Radiation 77 I: Atmospheric Composition 79 J: pH 82 K: Oxidation-Reduction Potential 84 L: Particulates 86 M: Spatial Relations 88 N: Characteristics of the Microorganisms 90 O: Interactions Between Microorganisms 93 III: Methods of Studying Microbial Ecology in Soil 103 IV: Clay Minerals and Microbial Ecology 111 A: Introduction 111 B: Field Studies 112 C: Pure Culture Studies 114 D: Soil Replica Plate Studies 118 E: Metabolic Studies 120 F: Greenhouse Studies 124 G: Surface Interaction Studies 125 H: Summation 131 V: Conclusions 133 Acknowledgments 133 References 134 GROWTH OF BACTERIA IN MIXED CULTURES 145 Introduction 145 Neutralism 146 Competition 148 Amensalism 155 Predation 157 Parasitism 161 Commensalism 164 Mutualism 168 Microbial Interactions in Some Specific Natural Environments 172 Aerobic Sludge Digestion 173 Wine and Beer Production 174 Skin 177 Rumen 179 Alimentary Canal 181 Aquatic Environments and the Soil 182 Discussion 184 References 186 INDEX 192