Most scientists in the middle of the twentieth century would probably not have believed that life was possible at extreme values of environmental factors, such as pH values close to 0 (e. g. sulfurous environments) or to 14 (e. g. soda lakes), sali- ties of 6 M NaCl (e. g. Dead Sea), hydrostatic pressures approaching 0. 1 MPa (deep sea) and temperatures exceeding 100C (thermal vents or hot springs) or as low as -20C (e. g. polar regions). Of the current studies on extremophiles, approximately 30,000 articles by the year 2007, almost two-thirds have been performed on org- isms adapted to...

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...

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....

Representing the latest knowledge of the ecology and the physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, plants and animals, this book 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.

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.

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....

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...

Altlasten und rezente Kontaminationen durch Unfalle und menschliches Fehlverhalten stellen eine Gefahrdung der Biosphare dar. Zum Schutz von Mensch, Tier und Pflanze mussen Boden, Wasser und Luft von anorganischen und organischen Schadstoffen moglichst freigehalten werden. Fur die Sanierung von Boden stehen dabei unterschiedliche Technologien zur Verfugung. Die Vorteile einer mikrobiologischen Bodensanierung liegen in einer hohen Umweltvertraglichkeit des Verfahrens, das durch minimalen Energieeinsatz und ohne Schaffung neuer Entsorgungsprobleme die Elimination und auch Mineralisation der...

Representing the latest knowledge of the ecology and the physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, plants and animals, this book 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.

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...