Environmental Microbiology

Paper Code: 
DENV 501A
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. Introduce the general biology of microorganisms and the general concept of microbial ecology
  2. Understand the role of microorganisms as agents of environmental change
  3. Understand microbial processes aimed to solve environmental problems

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Course outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

DENV 501A

Environmental Microbiology

Upon completion of this

course, students will:

CO33: Appraise the diversity of microorganism & microbial communities and their distribution in the environment

CO34: Explain the positive

and      negative           interactions

among microbial communities in various habitats

CO35: Assess the role of microorganisms in maintaining the healthy environment and for dealing with environmental   issues like waste management and pollution control.

CO36: Categorize the role of soil microbes in nutrient transformation, plant-microbe interactions and biotechnology

Approach   in teaching: Interactive lectures, Power Point Presentations, Group discussions, Tutorials

Learning activities for the students: Self-learning assignment, simulation, field observations, case studies

Quiz, Class Test Assignments, Individual and Group Presentations, Class Test, Semester End Examination

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Growth and Distribution of Microorganisms in the Environment
  • Basic classification of microorganisms
  • Types of microorganisms on the basis of nutrition
  • Factors affecting microbial growth (Temperature, pH, Oxygen concentration, Pressure and  radiation)
  • Microbial growth curve (Lag phase, acceleration phase, exponential phase, deceleration phase, stationary phase, death phase)

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Microbial Interactions in the Environment
  • Interaction among the microbial populations (Positive and negative interactions)
    • Mutualism
    • Parasitism
    • Amensalism
    • Competition
    • Predation
    • Protocooperation
    • Commensalism
    • Mycorrhizae-Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Microbiology of Water
  • Microbial habitat in the aquatic environment
    • Planktonic environment
    • Benthic habitat
    • Microbial mats
    • Biofilms
  • Microbial characteristics of fresh and marine water

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Microbiology of Air
  • Sources of microorganisms in the air
  • Physical/Microbial habitats in the air
  • Microbial communities in the air
  • Factors affecting microbial survival in the air

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Microbiology of Soil
  • Soil habitat (Lithosphere)
  • Microbial biogeochemical cycling
    • Carbon cycle
    • Nitrogen cycle
    • Sulphur cycle
    • Phosphorus
  • Rhizosphere

 

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Mohapatra, P. K. (2008). Textbook of Environmental Environmental Microbiology. New Delhi: I. K. International Publishing House.
  • Prescott, L. M. (2002). Microbiology (5th ed.). The McGraw−Hill Companies.
  • Maier, R.M., I. L. (2009). Environmental Microbiology (2nd ed.). USA: Academic Press (Elsevier).
  • Atlas, R.M., R. B. (2005). Microbial Ecology: Fundamental and Applications (4th ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Education Pvt. Ltd.

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Jjemba, P. K. (2004). Environmental microbiology: principles and applications. Science Publishers.
  • Barton, L., D. E. (2011). Microbial Ecology. New Jersey: JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., PUBLICATION.
  • Michael J. Pelczar, E. C. (1993). Microbiology (5th ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited.
  • Srivastava, M. (2008). Environmental Microbiology. Shree Publishers & Distributors.
  • Stanier, R. (1987). General Microbiology (5th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

 

References: 

e-RESOURCES

JOURNALS

  1. Environmental Microbiology Reports (Society for applied microbiology)
  2. Journal of Applied Microbiology
  3. Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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