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Organic Contaminants and Microorganisms

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Organic Contaminants in the Environment

Part of the book series: Environmental Management Series ((EMISS,volume 19))

Abstract

Both anthropogenically produced organic chemicals and microorganisms are widely distributed throughout the global environment. There are probably few areas of the world which have become contaminated by organic pollutants that do not also provide a habitat for some form of microscopic life. Both terrestrial and aquatic environments will support the growth of the four main groups of microorganisms, namely bacteria, fungi, protozoa and algae. However, it is the first two of these groups which are of greatest importance in biological transformations of complex organic molecules entering such ecosystems, whether from natural or anthropogenic sources.

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  1. M. Talaat Balba

    Present address: Treatek Incorporated, Environmental Subsidiary of Occidental Chemical Corporation, Technology Centre, 2801 Long Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BioTreatment Ltd, 5 Chiltern Close, Cardiff, CF4 5DL, UK

    M. Talaat Balba & Richard J. F. Bewley

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  1. M. Talaat Balba
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA14YQ, UK

    K. C. Jones

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Balba, M.T., Bewley, R.J.F. (1991). Organic Contaminants and Microorganisms. In: Jones, K.C. (eds) Organic Contaminants in the Environment. Environmental Management Series, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4329-2_8

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