Geomicrobiology

ENVE-6360

This course examines relationships between microorganisms and Earth processes. Topics include the origins of life on Earth, surface metabolism theory, biological and biochemical benchmarks. Earth is considered as a microbial habitat with emphasis on the lithosphere and hydrosphere, including soils, seawater, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Geomicrobial processes, including microbial conversion of inorganics and metals and mineralization of organics, are discussed. Molecular and non-molecular methods for detection, isolation, and identification of geo-microbially active organisms are introduced.

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