Geomicrobiology PDF
Preview Geomicrobiology
GEOMICROBIOLOGY GEOMICROBIOLOGY Editors Sudhir K. Jain School of Studies in Microbiology Vikram University Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh India Abdul Arif Khan College of Pharmacy King Saud University Riyadh Saudi Arabia Mahendra K. Rai Biotechnology Department SGB Amravati University Maharashtra India 6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW CRC Press Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487 a wTanwy ilnowfro .&crm rFcarpa nbrcueisin sGe.csrsoump 2N2A 7beP0iwan rg MYkd oaoSrdqnki,u,s NoOarnYex ,o1A nM0v 0eOil1ntXo6un e1 4P a4rRkN, UK ScEniefineldc, eN ePwu Hbamlipsshhierers Published by Science Publishers, P.O. Box 699, Enfield, NH 03748, USA An imprint of Edenbridge Ltd., British Channel Islands E-mail: inf Preface Geomicrobiology is a combination of geology and microbiology, which includes the study of interaction of microorganisms with their environment, such as in sedimentary rocks. This is a new and rapidly- developing field that has led in the past decade to a radically-revised view of the diversity and activity of microbial life on Earth. Geomicrobiology examines the role that microbes have played in the past and are currently playing in a number of fundamental geological processes. Microorganisms are very important for the environment. Biogeochemical cycles performed by these organisms are necessary to maintain normal life on Earth. These microorganisms are very important in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries from the economic point of view. Beside which, increased agricultural productivity through soil microorganisms, natural products and a wide range of industrially important substances isolated from these microorganisms, have popularized this field as a thrust area for present and future researchers. The curiosity to know about life on other planets is also evident in present-day researchers. The Earth’s earliest biological sediments can solve the enigma about the origin of life on Earth and give an indication about the presence of life on other planets. The future of this field is definitely bright, people are dependent on these microorganisms not only for their food but also for maintaining a proper healthy environment. Inspite of the bright future of this field, quality literature related to geomicrobiology is not sufficient to fulfil the requirements of students and researchers. There is an immense need to gather quality literature for scientists working in this thrust area. vi Preface The present book is of great importance for researchers working in the field of microbiology, biotechnology, geology and environmental science. It can be a major reference book for students as well as researchers. Sudhir K. Jain Abdul Arif Khan M.K. Rai Contents Preface v List of Contributors ix 1. Microbe–Mineral Interactions: Cave Geomicrobiology 1 Kathleen H. Lavoie, Diana E. Northup and Hazel A. Barton 2. Deep-sea Piezophilic Bacteria: Geomicrobiology 47 and Biotechnology Jiasong Fang and Chiaki Kato 3. Chalcopyrite Bioleaching: The Changing Face of 79 Copper Treatment Todd J. Harvey 4. Mineral Biotechnology of Sulphides 101 Ata Akcil and Haci Deveci 5. Petroleum Geomicrobiology 139 Elijah Ohimain 6. Bio/Geomarkers and Mineralizing Hydrothermal 175 Settings: Selected Earth Analogs, Microbiological Ecosystems and Astrobiological Potential J. Martínez-Frías, E. Lázaro and A. Esteve-Núñez 7. Spirulina Biotechnology 209 Hiren Doshi, Arabinda Ray and I.L. Kothari 8. Extant Analogues of the Microbial Origins of Life 237 Brendan P. Burns, Falicia Goh, Michelle A. Allen, Rachael Shi and Brett A. Neilan viii Contents 9. Biodeterioration of Archaeological Monuments and 255 Approach for Restoration Preeti Bhatnagar, Abdul Arif Khan, Sudhir K. Jain and M.K. Rai Index 303 Color Plate Section 315 List of Contributors A. Esteve-Núñez Centro de Astrobiología, CSIC/INTA, Associated to the NASA Astrobiology Institute, Ctra de Ajalvir. Km. 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain. E-mail:
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