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Environmental Microbiology

  • 4th Edition - August 20, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Ian Pepper, Terry Gentry, Charles Gerba, John Brooks
  • Language: English

Environmental Microbiology, Fourth Edition is the revised edition of a key, foundational text for the field of environmental microbiology which hits all the pillars of the field… Read more

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Description

Environmental Microbiology, Fourth Edition is the revised edition of a key, foundational text for the field of environmental microbiology which hits all the pillars of the field and takes into account the tremendous advances in environmental microbiology over past decade. It provides comprehensive information on traditional methodologies utilized to study environmental microbes, as well as state-of-the-art technologies. Emphasis is placed on molecular and bio-informatic approaches to the study of environmental microbes, including nucleic acid and ‘omic methodologies. The book is divided into seven parts that stretch across microbiology concepts, microbial environments, microbial methods and technologies, microbial transport, biogeochemistry, and bioremediation, water and foodborne pathogens, wastewater treatment and distribution, and urban microbiology. 1) “Environmental Microbiology” is the study of microbes within all habitats, and their beneficial and detrimental impacts on human health and welfare. This book illustrates the significance of environmental microbes in our daily lives in terms of not only the overall health of the planet, but also: what infects us; what heals us; what we drink; what we eat; and what we breathe.

Key features

  • Includes balanced, yet thorough coverage of multiple aspects of environmental microbiology
  • Explores topics ranging from biogeochemical cycling through public health issues including methods and emerging topics such as wastewater-based epidemiology and environmental antimicrobial resistance
  • Structured as a multi-author textbook with each chapter written by leading expert(s) in their field
  • Offers new case studies, question bank, information boxes and figures and images

Readership

Senior undergraduate or graduate students in environmental microbiology Professionals and researchers studying environmental microbiology in research and applied settings, who require an introduction or refresher to the subject

Table of contents

Part 1. Review of Basic Microbiology Concepts

1. Introduction to Environmental Microbiology

2. Microorganisms Found in the Environment

3. Bacterial Growth

Part 2: Microbial Environments

4. Earth Environments

5. Aerobiology

6. Aquatic Environments

7. Biofilms

8. Environmental Microbiomes

Part 3: Microbial Methods and Technologies

9. Environmental Sample Collection and Processing

10. Microscopic Techniques

11. Cultural Methods

12. Physiological Methods

13. Immunological Methods

14. Nucleic Acid-Based Methods of Detection

15. Bioinformation and “Omic” Approaches to Microbiome Characterization

Part 4. Microbial Transport, Biogeochemistry, and Bioremediation

16. Microbial Transport

17. Biogeochemical Cycling

18. Microorganisms and Organic Pollutants

19. Microorganisms and Metal Pollutants

Part 5. Water and Foodborne Pathogens

20. Environmentally Transmitted Pathogens

21. Indicator Microorganisms

22. Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance

23. Microbial Source Tracking

24. Risk Assessment

Part 6. Wastewater, Reclaimed Water, and Potable Water Treatment and Distribution

25. Municipal Wastewater Treatment

26. Land Application of Organic Residuals: Municipal Biosolids and Animal Manures

27. Reclaimed Water Treatment and Reuse

28. Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution

29. Disinfection

Part 7. Urban Microbiology and Emerging Issues

30. Microbiology of the Built Environment and Pandemic Preparation

31. Wastewater-based Epidemiology

32. One Health

Product details

  • Edition: 4
  • Latest edition
  • Published: August 20, 2026
  • Language: English

About the authors

IP

Ian Pepper

Dr. Ian Pepper is a Regents Professor at the University of Arizona and also the Director of the University of Arizona Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center (WEST). He is an environmental microbiologist whose research has focused on the fate and transport of microbial pathogens in air, water, soils and municipal wastes. His expertise has been recognized by membership on six National Academy of Sciences Committees. Dr. Pepper is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Microbiology, the Soil Science Society of America, and the American Society of Agronomy. He is the author or co-author of seven textbooks and over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor, University of Arizona , USA

TG

Terry Gentry

Dr. Terry Gentry is a Professor at Texas A&M University and is also the Director of the Soil and Aquatic Microbiology Laboratory (SAML). He is an environmental microbiologist specializing in the development and use of molecular technologies to enhance the detection and remediation of environmental contamination. This includes the detection and identification of microbial pathogens from animal, human, and natural sources and also the characterization of microbial populations and communities contributing to applied remediation processes such as the bioremediation of organic and metal contaminants. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in soil and water microbiology. He is the author or co-author of two textbooks; 16 book chapters; and over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Soil and Aquatic Microbiology, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

CG

Charles Gerba

Dr. Charles Gerba is a Professor at the University of Arizona. He conducts research on the transmission of pathogens through the environment. His recent research encompasses the transmission of pathogens by water, food and fomites; fate of pathogens in land applied wastes; development of new disinfectants; domestic microbiology and microbial risk assessment. He has been an author on more than 500 articles including several books in environmental microbiology and pollution science. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1998 he received the A. P. Black Award from the American Water Works Association for outstanding contributions to water science and in 1996 he received the McKee medal from the Water Environment Federation for outstanding contributions to groundwater protection. He received the 1999 Award of Excellence in Environmental Health from National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

JB

John Brooks

Dr. John Brooks is a research microbiologist focusing on environmental microbiology at the USDA-ARS Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Unit located at Mississippi State University. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and has been focused on environmental microbiology for over 20 years. His research has focused on aerobiology, quantitative microbial risk assessment, pathogen fate and transport, antimicrobial resistance, and soil microbial ecology. He is an active member of the Soil Science Society of America and American Society for Microbiology, has served on US CODEX taskforces, and has authored over 100 peer-review journal articles and numerous book chapters.

Affiliations and expertise
Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Unit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA