Metals, Microbes, and Minerals: The Biogeochemical Side of Life

Volume 21, entitled Metals, Microbes, and Minerals: The Biogeochemical Side of Life, of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences offers a wealth of in-depth information about the world of microorganisms and their important roles for all aspects of life. Microorganisms are outstanding chemists and geoengineers and are found in almost every conceivable niche of the Earth. They play key roles in cycling of the elements, in animal and plant health, in agriculture and the global food web. Surprisingly, they are generally ignored in discussions about animal and plant extinctions caused by human activities, also in the context of climate change. However, microorganisms date back to the origin of life on Earth, at least 3.8 billion years ago, and they will likely exist well beyond any future extinction events. Overall, these vibrant research areas including Geomicrobiology are covered in 10 stimulating chapters, written by 27 internationally recognized experts from North America, Australia, The Far East, and Europe. The impact of Volume 21 is manifested in nearly 1700 references, in about 90 illustrations (mostly in color), and several tables. Unless humans appreciate the importance of microbial processes, they fundamentally limit their understanding of Earth's biosphere and its response to climate change and thus, jeopardize efforts to create an environmentally sustainable future. Metals, Microbes, and Minerals: The Biogeochemical Side of Life is an essential resource for all scientists from paleontology, earth sciences, physics, microbiology, enzymology, toxicology, analytical and inorganic biochemistry, all the way through to medicine ... not forgetting that this volume also provides excellent information for teaching.