Analytical Geomicrobiology: A Handbook of Instrumental Techniques

Description

Geomicrobiology is the study of microbes and microbial processes and their role in driving environmental and geological processes at scales ranging from the nano, micron, to meter scale. This growing field has seen major advances in recent years, largely due to the development of new analytical tools and improvements to existing techniques, which allow us to better understand the complex interactions between microbes and their surroundings. In this comprehensive handbook, expert authors outline the state-of-the-art and emerging analytical techniques used in geomicrobiology. Readers are guided through each technique including background theory, sample preparation, standard methodology, data collection and analysis, best practices and common pitfalls, and examples of how and where the technique has been applied. The book provides a practical go-to reference for advanced students, researchers and professional scientists looking to employ techniques commonly used in geomicrobiology.

Janice P. L. Kenney is an assistant professor at MacEwan University, Edmonton, and a member of the Geochemical Society. She is interested in how contaminants, such as radionuclides, are transported in the environment, and she employs techniques in geochemistry and geomicrobiology to better understand the fate of these elements. Harish Veeramani is a research facilitator at Carleton University, and previously worked as a lecturer in water engineering at the University of Glasgow. He specialises in applied environmental microbiology for the remediation of heavy metal contaminants including radionuclides. Daniel S. Alessi is an Associate Professor and the Encana Chair in Water Resources at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on environmental geomicrobiology and geochemistry, and the role of microbes and minerals in controlling the transport and fate of metals in near-surface environments.

'The entire book is impeccably edited. In particular, the editors have masterfully ensured that individual chapters follow a common format that provides the necessary introduction to each analytical technique without overwhelming the reader with too much detail. Where necessary, the authors provide up-to-date references to the theory and application of the technique in question, and most chapters include practical examples of how each technique is used in actual research. Usually (but not always), chapter authors provide a step-by-step guide to sample preparation, further increasing the utility of their contribution. Students in microbiology, chemistry, and geology will find this a valuable reference.' M. S. Coyne, Choice