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This completely updated and revised second edition presents the most recent developments and advances in the field of microbial life in the cold, as well as the latest insights into the psychrophilic lifestyle.

This completely updated and revised second edition presents the most recent developments and advances in the field of microbial life in the cold, as well as the latest insights into the psychrophilic lifestyle.

Reliable methods for monitoring and assessing soil quality are a prerequisite for successful soil bioremediation projects. The fifth volume of Soil Biology presents detailed descriptions of selected methods for evaluating, monitoring and assessing bioremediation treatments of soils contaminated with organic pollutants or heavy metals.Traditional soil investigation techniques, including chemical, physical and microbiological methods, are complemented by the most suitable modern methods, such as the use of bioreporter technology, immunological, ecotoxicological or molecular assays. Feasibility studies for bioremediation treatments complete the manual. Easy-to-follow protocols with step-by-step procedures, lists of the required equipment and reagents as well as notes on the evaluation and quality control allow immediate application. Short introductions to the principles and objectives help to assess the field of application of each procedure.

Altlasten und rezente Kontaminationen durch Unfälle und menschliches Fehlverhalten stellen eine Gefährdung der Biosphäre dar. Zum Schutz von Mensch, Tier und Pflanze müssen Boden, Wasser und Luft von anorganischen und organischen Schadstoffen möglichst freigehalten werden. Für die Sanierung von Böden stehen dabei unterschiedliche Technologien zur Verfügung. Die Vorteile einer mikrobiologischen Bodensanierung liegen in einer hohen Umweltverträglichkeit des Verfahrens, das durch minimalen Energieeinsatz und ohne Schaffung neuer Entsorgungsprobleme die Elimination und auch Mineralisation der Schadstoffe ermöglicht.

There is an increasing interest of biotechnologists in the potential of cold-adapted organisms, since they play a major role in the processes of nutrient turnover and primary biomass production in cold ecosystems. Essential advantages of the application of such organisms are the rapid microbial metabolism at low temperatures, the low activation energy for enzymatic substrate hydrolysis and the low thermostability of enzymes from cold-adapted organisms. Benefits can also be deduced from the frost hardiness and frost resistance of cold-adapted plants and animals.

Major parts of the oceans and lands of our planet are permanently, or temporarily, exposed to temperatures below 10 C. Microorganisms, plants and animals living under these conditions have adapted to their environments in such a way that metabolic processes, reproduction and survival strategies are optimal for their natural biotopes. This book presents the most recent knowledge of the ecology and the physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, plants and animals, and explains the mechanisms of cold-adaptation on the enzymatic and molecular level, including results from the first crystal structures of enzymes of cold-adapted organisms.

Most of the Earth’s biosphere is characterized by low temperatures. Vast areas (>20%) of the soil ecosystem are permanently frozen or are unfrozen for only a few weeks in summer. Permafrost regions occur at high latitudes and also at high ele- tions; a significant part of the global permafrost area is represented by mountains. Permafrost soils are of global interest, since a significant increase in temperature is predicted for polar regions. Global warming will have a great impact on these soils, especially in northern regions, since they contain large amounts of organic carbon and act as carbon sinks, and a temperature increase will result in a release of carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, the intensified release of the clima- relevant tracer gas methane represents a potential environmental harzard. Significant numbers of viable microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, p- totrophic cyanobacteria and green algae, fungi and protozoa, are present in per- frost, and the characteristics of these microorganisms reflect the unique and extreme conditions of the permafrost environment. Remarkably, these microorg- isms have been reported to be metabolically active at subzero temperatures, even down to ?20°C.

Reliable methods for monitoring and assessing soil quality are a prerequisite for successful soil bioremediation projects. The fifth volume of Soil Biology presents detailed descriptions of selected methods for evaluating, monitoring and assessing bioremediation treatments of soils contaminated with organic pollutants or heavy metals.Traditional soil investigation techniques, including chemical, physical and microbiological methods, are complemented by the most suitable modern methods, such as the use of bioreporter technology, immunological, ecotoxicological or molecular assays. Feasibility studies for bioremediation treatments complete the manual. Easy-to-follow protocols with step-by-step procedures, lists of the required equipment and reagents as well as notes on the evaluation and quality control allow immediate application. Short introductions to the principles and objectives help to assess the field of application of each procedure.

Major parts of the oceans and lands of our planet are permanently, or temporarily, exposed to temperatures below 10 C. Microorganisms, plants and animals living under these conditions have adapted to their environments in such a way that metabolic processes, reproduction and survival strategies are optimal for their natural biotopes. This book presents the most recent knowledge of the ecology and the physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, plants and animals, and explains the mechanisms of cold-adaptation on the enzymatic and molecular level, including results from the first crystal structures of enzymes of cold-adapted organisms.

Most of the Earth’s biosphere is characterized by low temperatures. Vast areas (>20%) of the soil ecosystem are permanently frozen or are unfrozen for only a few weeks in summer. Permafrost regions occur at high latitudes and also at high ele- tions; a significant part of the global permafrost area is represented by mountains. Permafrost soils are of global interest, since a significant increase in temperature is predicted for polar regions. Global warming will have a great impact on these soils, especially in northern regions, since they contain large amounts of organic carbon and act as carbon sinks, and a temperature increase will result in a release of carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, the intensified release of the clima- relevant tracer gas methane represents a potential environmental harzard. Significant numbers of viable microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, p- totrophic cyanobacteria and green algae, fungi and protozoa, are present in per- frost, and the characteristics of these microorganisms reflect the unique and extreme conditions of the permafrost environment. Remarkably, these microorg- isms have been reported to be metabolically active at subzero temperatures, even down to ?20°C.

Cold-adapted Yeasts

Cold adapted microorganisms, plants and animals are widely distributed in nature since more than 80% of the biosphere show temperatures below soc. These organ­ isms playa major role in the processes of nutrient turnover and primary biomass production in cold ecosystems and have adapted to their environment in such a way that metabolic processes, reproduction and survival strategies are optimal. Cold adapted organisms have received little attention so far. Only within the past few years it has been recognized that these organisms and their products provide a large potential for biotechnological applications. Biochemical reactions can be per­ formed at low temperatures and terminated by mild heat treatment, without the risk of contaminations by mesophiles or thermophiles. Thus, the practical utiliza­ tion of cold-adapted organisms would constitute a considerable progress towards the saving of energy. In this book, prominent authors from industries and universities present new concepts and developments. Their articles summarize the actual and potential applications of cold-adapted organisms and viruses in several fields of biotechnol­ ogy, such as enzymes, health, food, agriculture and environment. Further chapters cover the application of cold-adapted microorganisms for bio-mining and as genetic tools. We are most grateful to the authors for their excellent contributions, to Brigitte Marschall and Alexander Koren (vanillapaint) for skilful preparation of the layout, and to the publishers, especially to Dr. Dieter Czeschlik, for their cooperation.

In terrestrial ecosystems, soil microorganisms and soil animals are essential for litter degradation, soil formation and the availability of nutrients and trace elements. The measurement of biological soil parameters allows a rapid evaluation of the effects of chemical and physical influences due to pollutants or soil management.This book introduces a number of well proved methods for the analysis of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles. It focuses further on the determination of the number and biomass of microorganisms, algae and animals in the soil. Particular emphasis is placed on the comprehensible and complete description of the experimental procedures.

Die Messung biologischer Parameter von Böden erlaubt eine rasche Beurteilung der Auswirkung chemischer und physikalischer Einflüsse auf den Boden. Dieses Buch stellt eine Vielzahl von enzymatischen Methoden vor, die zur Erfassung von Aktivitäten aus dem Kohlenstoff-, Stickstoff-, Phosphor- und Schwefelkreislauf geeignet sind. Ebenso wird die Bestimmung der Biomasse von Mikroorganismen, Algen und Tieren des Bodens beschrieben. Das Methodenspektrum wurde gegenüber der ersten Auflage um einen zoologischen Teil und zahlreiche aktuelle mikrobiologische Methoden erweitert. Bei den Arbeitsvorschriften wurde besonders auf eine verständliche und vollständige Beschreibung der experimentellen Abläufe geachtet.