The only book to cover the breadth of microbial ecology and diversity in polar regions with an emphasis on bioremediation, Polar Microbiology examines polar microorganisms and their ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in polar terrestrial and aquatic environments. Providing a unique perspective of these microorganisms in extremely cold temperatures, the book focuses on their taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry, population structure, bioremediation potential, and potential for biotechnology applications. Leading investigators provide complete coverage of the microbiology relevant to the study of biodiversity and biodegradation of pollutants in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Microbiology of Antarctic Terrestrial Soils and Rocks. Archaeal Diversity in Antarctic Ecosystems. Bacterial Biodiversity of Antarctica: Conventional Polyphasic and rRNA Approaches. L.I.F.E. in Antarctic Lakes. Psychrophilic and Psychrotolerant Microbial Extremophiles in Polar Environments. Cold Adaptation in Antarctic Biodegradative Microorganisms. Possible Role of Bacteriophage-Mediated Horizontal Gene Transfer on Microbial Adaptation to Environmental Stressors in Polar Ecosystems. Sources of Organic Matter for the Archean Cryosphere. Response of Polar Soil Bacterial Communities to Fuel Spills. Microbial Degradation of Petroleum Compounds in Cold Marine Water and Ice. Potential for Microbial Biodegradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Polar Environments. Tolerance of Antarctic Soil Fungi to Hydrocarbons and Their Potential Role in Soil Bioremediation. Do Fertilizers Help in Effective Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Polar Soils? Bioremediation of Contaminated Sites in the Canadian Arctic: Monitoring Performance and the Effects of Biostimulation Using Molecular Methods. Occurrence, Distribution and Nature of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Genes in Biodegradative Microorganisms from the Antarctic Environment. Potential Use of Real-Time PCR to Assess Changes in the Microbial Population Structure and Function during Bioremediation of Polar Soils. Microbial Bioremediation in Polar Environments: Current Status and Future Directions. Index.

Asim K. Bej, Jackie Aislabie, Ronald M. Atlas