E-Book Overview
Introduction to Geomicrobiology is a timely and comprehensive overview of how microbial life has affected Earth’s environment through time. It shows how the ubiquity of microorganisms, their high chemical reactivity, and their metabolic diversity make them a significant factor controlling the chemical composition of our planet.The following topics are covered:how microorganisms are classified, the physical constraints governing their growth, molecular approaches to studying microbial diversity, and life in extreme environments bioenergetics, microbial metabolic capabilities, and major biogeochemical pathways chemical reactivity of the cell surface, metal sorption, and the microbial role in contaminant mobility and bioremediation/biorecovery microbiological mineral formation and fossilization the function of microorganisms in mineral dissolution and oxidation, and the industrial and environmental ramifications of these processes elemental cycling in biofilms, formation of microbialites, and sediment diagenesis the events that led to the emergence of life, evolution of metabolic processes, and the diversification of the biosphere.Artwork from the book is available to instructors at www.blackwellpublishing.com/konhauser.
E-Book Content
Introduction to Geomicrobiology
In memory of my mother
Introduction to Geomicrobiology Kurt Konhauser
© 2007 Blackwell Science Ltd a Blackwell Publishing company BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Kurt Konhauser to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. First published 2007 by Blackwell Science Ltd 1
2007
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Konhauser, Kurt. Introduction to geomicrobiology / Kurt Konhauser. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-632-05454-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-632-05454-9 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Geomicrobiology. I. Title. QR103.K66 2006 579—dc22 2005015459 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 10.5/12.5pt Goudy Old Style by Graphicraft Limited, Hong Kong Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable forestry policy, and which has been manufactured from pulp processed using acid-free and elementary chlorine-free practices. Furthermore, the publisher ensures that the text paper and cover board used have met acceptable environmental accreditation standards. For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website: www.blackwellpublishing.com
Contents
Preface, ix 1 Microbial properties and diversity, 1 1.1 Classification of life, 1 1.2 Physical properties of microorganisms, 5 1.2.1 Prokaryotes, 5 1.2.2 Eukaryotes, 8 1.3 Requirements for growth, 10 1.3.1 Physical requirements, 10 1.3.2 Chemical requirements, 11 1.3.3 Growth rates, 17 1.4 Microbial diversity, 18 1.5 Life in extreme environments, 22 1.5.1 Hydrothermal systems, 23 1.5.2 Polar environments, 26 1.5.3 Acid environments, 28 1.5.4 Hypersaline and alkaline environments, 29 1.5.5 Deep-subsurface environments, 30 1.5.6 Life on other planets, 32 1.5.7 Panspermia, 34 1.6 Summary, 35
2.3
2.4
2.5 2 Microbial metabolism, 36 2.1 Bioenergetics, 36 2.1.1 Enzymes, 36 2.1.2 Oxidation-reduct