SUBJECT

Title

Microbial ecology of waters and aquatic habitats

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

Doctoral

Credits

6

Recommended in

Semesters 1-4

Typically offered in

Autumn/Spring semester

Course description
  • Microorganisms in nature. Microbes and their micro- and macro environments. Genome size, genetical diversity and the effect of habitats.. Basic concepts of microbial ecology, methods used in microbial ecology. Identification, quantification and methabolic intensity.

  • Connection between biogeography and diversity. Spreading of free living microorganisms, microbial endemism.

  • Developing of biofilms in aquatic habitats. Communication between cells, quorum sensing and evolution. Stability of populations.

  • Interactions between populations (neutral, positive and negative). Interactions between bacteria and viruses. Microbial loops.

  • Microbiology of natural waters (rivers, lakes, seas).

  • Adaptation of microbes to extremophyle environments (temperature, pressure, nutrient concentration, pH, salinity).

  • Microbiology of anthropogenic water distribution systems (drinking waters, industrial waters, etc.). Microbial corrosion.

  • Microbiological water qualification, hygienic microbiology.

  • Microbiology of waste waters. Artificial water purification systems (eg. wetlands).

  • Waterborn diseases.

Readings