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Protocols for Calculating Reaction Kinetics and Thermodynamics

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Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols

Part of the book series: Springer Protocols Handbooks ((SPH))

Abstract

Thermodynamics is central to our understanding of the ecology and physiology of microbial ecosystems. In physiological research, thermodynamics is used to determine the directionality of a reaction or the feasibility of a pathway. In ecological research, thermodynamics is used to determine the feasibility of a process and to rationalize the sequence of redox reactions in both natural environments and engineered biological systems and increasingly also as a basis to describe microbial activities as a function of environmental factors. This protocol provides a detailed annotated description of how to calculate change in Gibbs free energy values and redox potentials and a brief discussion on linking thermodynamics and kinetics for reactions of biological interest.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK

    Jan Dolfing

Authors
  1. Jan Dolfing
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Dolfing .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biological Sciences, University of Essex Dept. Biological Sciences, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom

    Terry J. McGenity

  2. Braunschweig, Germany

    Kenneth N. Timmis

  3. University of the Balearic Islands , Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Balbina Nogales Fernández

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© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Dolfing, J. (2015). Protocols for Calculating Reaction Kinetics and Thermodynamics. In: McGenity, T., Timmis, K., Nogales Fernández, B. (eds) Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols. Springer Protocols Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/8623_2015_109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/8623_2015_109

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-49309-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-49310-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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