viiThis book is a result of the course on environmental microbiology that I taught at the
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA. The book seeks to place the
main actors in matters of environment microbiology, namely, the microorganisms, on
center stage. Many first degree courses in microbiology do not cover the detailed
taxonomy of microorganisms, which facilitates their being pigeonholed into specific
taxonomic niches in the environment. Because of this, the book looks, as much as
possible, at the biology, especially the taxonomy, of the microorganisms.
To this end, the taxonomy of not only bacteria and fungi, but also protozoa, algae,
viruses and even the smaller macroorganisms, such as nematodes and rotifers, which
are usually associated with microorganisms in aquatic and waste environments, are
also looked at.
Viruses are given special attention because, until recently, it was thought they
were not important in aquatic environments; the modern understanding is that they
are not only abundant, but play a crucial role in the sustenance of the various compo-
nents of the biological ecosystem in aquatic environments.
The book will be useful to a wide range of undergraduates and beginning graduate
students in microbiology, general biology, aquatic science, public health and civil
(sanitary) engineering. Practitioners in sanitary engineering and public health will
also find it of interest.
I thank my family for their encouragement.
Mableton, GA, USA Nduka Okafor
October 1, 2010