Overview

Pollution has accompanied polar exploration since Captain John Davis' arrival on the Antarctic continent in 1821 and has become an unavoidable consequence of oil spills in our polar regions. Fortunately, many of the organisms indigenous to Polar ecosystems have the ability to degrade pollutants. It is this metabolic capacity that forms the basis for bioremediation as a potential treatment for the hydrocarbons that contaminate the pristine polar environments. The only book to cover the breadth of microbial ecology and diversity in polar regions with an emphasis on bioremediation, Polar Microbiology: The Ecology, Biodiversity, and Bioremediation Potential of Microorganisms in Extremely Cold Environments examines the diversity of polar microorganisms and their ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in polar terrestrial and aquatic environments. Providing a unique perspective of these microorganisms in extremely cold temperatures, the book focuses on their taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry, population structure, bioremediation potential, and potential for biotechnology applications. Leading investigators in the field provide complete coverage of the microbiology relevant to the study of biodiversity and biodegradation of pollutants in the Arctic and Antarctic, including: Microbial extremophiles living in cold and subzero temperature environments Genetics and physiology of cold adaptation of microorganisms Biodegradative microbial consortia in a defined closed environment Molecular characterization of biodegradative microbial populations Molecular approaches to assess biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons Environmental impact of hydrocarbon contamination Microbial biodiversity across Antarctic deserts By bringing together the current state of scientific knowledge and research on microbial community structures in extremely cold temperatures, this thought provoking resource is the ideal starting point for the research that must be done if we are to effectively reduce human's eco-footprint on our polar regions.

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9781420083842

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!It is a timely and much needed contribution to the field of polar microbiology ! The authors have been drawn from a wide range of experts in the field, and provide clear coverage of the subject from a range of different perspectives. Specific strengths of the book include the range of different micro-organisms considered and habitat types covered (including the aerial environment, ice as an environment for microbial growth and the overall relevance to astrobiology) ! this work makes a welcome and significant contribution. --David Pearce, British Antarctic Survey, Computing Reviews, May 2010

!It is a timely and much needed contribution to the field of polar microbiology ! The authors have been drawn from a wide range of experts in the field, and provide clear coverage of the subject from a range of different perspectives. Specific strengths of the book include the range of different micro-organisms considered and habitat types covered (including the aerial environment, ice as an environment for microbial growth and the overall relevance to astrobiology) ! this work makes a welcome and significant contribution. --David Pearce, British Antarctic Survey, Computing Reviews, May 2010 !Gummer has created an extraordinarily detailed book which is easy to read and brings the 14th century to life ! An excellent book and worth a read if you are interested in plague, pandemics or history in general. --Steve Diggle, University of Nottingham, Computing Reviews, May 2010

...It is a timely and much needed contribution to the field of polar microbiology ... The authors have been drawn from a wide range of experts in the field, and provide clear coverage of the subject from a range of different perspectives. Specific strengths of the book include the range of different micro-organisms considered and habitat types covered (including the aerial environment, ice as an environment for microbial growth and the overall relevance to astrobiology) ... this work makes a welcome and significant contribution. -David Pearce, British Antarctic Survey, Computing Reviews, May 2010

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Asim K. Bej, Jackie Aislabie, Ronald M. Atlas

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