Environmental Microbiology

Environmental microbiology is the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communities in the environment.

Environmental microbiology, as a discipline began as a somewhat marginal branch of Life Sciences which then transformed into one of the most vibrant and visible areas of contemporary research.
Because the environmental microbes affect many aspects of life and can be easily transported between environments, the field of environmental microbiology interacts with several different areas, including soil, aquatic, as well as water quality, bioremediation, occupational health and infection control, food safety, and industrial microbiology.
The initial scientific focus of environmental microbiology was on water quality management and the effect of pathogens in the environment in the context of protection of public health.
Water quality continues to be a significant focus in environmental microbiology because new waterborne pathogens continue to emerge.
Over time, the focus has been divided into a number of different areas like soil, food, and industrial products.
The importance of environmental microbiology continues to grow as new microorganisms continue to emerge in different environmental sources.
The quality control of air, water, and land are among the most important aspects of environmental microbiology which directly affects the health of all living beings.
Besides, the ecological balance and transfer of energy in the food chain are also studied in environmental microbiology as these are important to maintain the condition of the planet.
As a point where climate change and global warming are becoming important discussions throughout the world, environmental microbiology is considered one of the tools to alleviate the planet from such dreadful conditions.
Besides, the techniques developed in environmental microbiology like wastewater management, air purification, and land refills are tools to protect the quality of life.
Environmental microbiology, together with other areas like biotechnology and molecular biology forms an interdisciplinary subject that encompasses different avenues of life.

Competition Interaction- Definition and Types with Examples

February 11, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Competition Definition Competition is a biological interaction between two or more organisms of the same or different species where the species compete with each other for different resources. Most of the competitive interaction occurs for the need of food sources that occur in a limited supply when compared to demand. However, organisms might compete for other resources like shelter, light, …

Predation Interaction- Definition and Types with Examples

February 11, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Predation Definition Predation is a type of ecological interaction where one of the species kills and feeds on the other. The organism that kills and feeds on the dead organism is called the predator, whereas the organism that gets killed is called the prey. Predation is different from scavenging on dead organisms, but predators also scavenge as a part of …

Parasitism Interaction- Definition and Types with Examples

February 9, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Parasitism Definition Parasitism is a type of ecological association between species where one of the species benefits from the association at the expense of the other, usually without killing the organism. The organisms that obtain the benefit from the association is called a parasite, whereas the organisms that are harmed by the association is called the host. The term parasite …

Amensalism (Antagonism) Interaction- Definition, Types, Examples

February 8, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Amensalism (Antagonism) Definition Amensalism is a type of negative ecological interaction where one of the species is harmed or destroyed while the other either benefits or remains unaffected. Amensalism is usually considered a relationship that exists between organisms of two different species, but cases of such interactions can be observed even within the same species. Amensalism is one of the …

Commensalism Interaction- Definition, Types and Examples

February 8, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Commensalism Definition Commensalism is a type of ecological interaction between two or more species where one of the species is benefitted without either harming or benefitting the other. Commensalism is a positive interaction but is quite different interactions like mutualism or parasitism. It is usually a long term relationship where some species remain in the interaction for their entire life. …

Protocooperation Interaction- Definition and Examples

February 8, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Protocooperation Definition Protocooperation is a type of ecological interaction where both the species involved in the interaction are benefitted, but the interaction is not obligatory for survival. The interaction between species in protocooperation is simply for the gain they receive from the interaction. The interaction is often considered a type of mutualism (facultative mutualism). Even though the interaction increases the …

Mutualism Interaction- Definition, Symbiosis, Types and Examples

February 11, 2021February 8, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Mutualism Definition A mutualism is a form of interaction between organisms of two or more species where all the species benefit from the interaction. The benefits from the interaction can be protection, pollination, dispersal, or provision of nutrients. In most cases, mutualism exists between a pair of species, but some interactions might exist between more than two species. Mutualism can …

Trophic level- Definition, food chain, food web, pyramid, examples

February 5, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Trophic level Definition Trophic level is the position within a food chain that is occupied by a group of organisms in an ecosystem. The classification of organisms into the different food chains is based on their feeding behavior. Trophic level is a step in the nutritive series of food chains which in some cases might form a complicated path called …

Eutrophication- Definition, Causes, Types, Process, Examples

February 5, 2021 by Anupama Sapkota

Eutrophication Definition Eutrophication is the condition of a gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients in a water body resulting in excessive plant and algal growth. Eutrophication is one of the most widespread challenges faced by freshwater systems and also has a long history in terms of water management. It is a natural process that …

Sulfur Cycle- Definition, Steps, Examples, Significance, Human Impacts

November 11, 2020 by Anupama Sapkota

Sulfur Cycle Definition The sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical cycle consisting of various processes that together enable the movement of sulfur through different reservoirs like the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Sulfur is an important mineral in living organisms that is found in biomolecules like proteins. Besides, sulfur is also an essential mineral found in rocks and soil as the lithosphere …