Environmental Microbiology of Aquatic and Waste Systems

2011·8.31 MB·English

by  Nduka Okafor

Environmental Microbiology of Aquatic
and Waste Systems

Nduka Okafor
Environmental
Microbiology of Aquatic
and Waste Systems
Nduka Okafor
Department of Biological Sciences
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
USA
[email protected]
The Author acknowledges that there are instances where he was unable to trace or contact the
copyright holder for permission to reproduce selected materials in this volume. The Author
has included complete source references for all such materials and takes full responsibility for
these matters. If notified, the publisher will be pleased to rectify any errors or omissions at the
earliest opportunity.
ISBN 978-94-007-1459-5 e-ISBN 978-94-007-1460-1
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1460-1
Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011930674
© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011
No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written
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Printed on acid-free paper
Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
This book is dedicated to
The Okafor-Ozowalu family of Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area,
in the Anambra State of Nigeria, especially grandchildren Chinelo,
Ndiya, Kenechukwu, Victor, Toochukwu and Chinedum
and
Very Rev Fr. Prof Emmanuel M P Edeh, CSSp, OFR,
for his contribution in furthering access to education
in Nigeria by founding Madonna and Caritas Universities
as well several other educational establishments

Preface
This book is a result of the course on environmental microbiology that I taught at the
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA. The book seeks to place the
main actors in matters of environment microbiology, namely, the microorganisms, on
center stage. Many first degree courses in microbiology do not cover the detailed
taxonomy of microorganisms, which facilitates their being pigeonholed into specific
taxonomic niches in the environment. Because of this, the book looks, as much as
possible, at the biology, especially the taxonomy, of the microorganisms.
To this end, the taxonomy of not only bacteria and fungi, but also protozoa, algae,
viruses and even the smaller macroorganisms, such as nematodes and rotifers, which
are usually associated with microorganisms in aquatic and waste environments, are
also looked at.
Viruses are given special attention because, until recently, it was thought they
were not important in aquatic environments; the modern understanding is that they
are not only abundant, but play a crucial role in the sustenance of the various compo-
nents of the biological ecosystem in aquatic environments.
The book will be useful to a wide range of undergraduates and beginning graduate
students in microbiology, general biology, aquatic science, public health and civil
(sanitary) engineering. Practitioners in sanitary engineering and public health will
also find it of interest.
I thank my family for their encouragement.
Mableton, GA, USA Nduka Okafor
October 1, 2010
vii

Contents
Part I Introduction
1 Nature, Properties, and Distribution of Water ....................................... 3
1.1 Physical and Chemical Properties of Water and Their
Consequences ..................................................................................... 3
1.1.1 Molecular Structure of Water and Its Strong
Surface Tension ...................................................................... 3
1.1.2 The High Surface Tension of Water and Capillarity
in Plants .................................................................................. 4
1.1.3 The Three Physical States of Water,
and the Floatation of Ice ......................................................... 4
1.1.4 The Thermal Properties of Water
and Their Effect on Climate ................................................... 5
1.1.5 The Change in the Nature of Water at Different
Temperatures and Lake Temperatures .................................... 5
1.1.6 The Low Electrical Conductivity of Pure Water .................... 6
1.1.7 The High Chemical Reactiveness of Water ............................ 7
1.1.8 The pH of Water ..................................................................... 7
1.1.9 The High Solvent Power of Water ......................................... 7
1.2 Importance and Uses of Water ........................................................... 7
1.2.1 Composition of Biological Objects ........................................ 7
1.2.2 Drinking by Man and Animals and Domestic Use ................ 7
1.2.3 Irrigation and Aquaculture ..................................................... 8
1.2.4 Power Generation ................................................................... 8
1.2.5 Transportation ........................................................................ 8
1.2.6 Recreation .............................................................................. 8
1.2.7 Human Affairs ........................................................................ 8
1.3 The Hydrologic Cycle ........................................................................ 8
1.4 Classification of Waters ...................................................................... 9
1.4.1 Natural Waters ........................................................................ 9
1.4.2 Artificial Waters ..................................................................... 10
1.5 Global Distribution of Water on Earth and Its Study ......................... 10
References ................................................................................................... 12
2 Peculiarities of Water as an Environmental Habitat
for Microorganisms ................................................................................... 15
2.1 The Peculiar Nature of Water as an Environment
for Microbial Habitation .................................................................... 15
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