Intro
Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Spellings and Abbreviations
Contents
1: Global Environment: Climate and Microorganisms
1.1 Climate System
1.1.1 Components of the Climate System
1.1.2 Interactions Between the Components
1.1.3 Energy Balance of the Earth
1.1.4 Climate Change and Its Effects
1.1.5 Which Substances Have Which Effect on the Climate?
1.1.6 Projections
1.2 Global Cycles with Reservoirs and Material Flows
1.2.1 Global Carbon Cycle
1.2.2 Global Nitrogen Cycle

1.2.3 Global Sulfur Cycle
1.2.4 Global Phosphorus Cycle
1.2.5 Summary of Global Cycles
References
Further Reading
2: Microorganisms, Actors in the Environment
2.1 Microorganisms, Assignment to Groups
2.2 Microorganisms, the Advantage of Small Size
2.3 Microorganisms, Small But Numerous
2.4 Microorganisms, Do Not Live Alone
References
Further Reading
3: Relationship Between Microbial Energy Production and Material Cycles
3.1 Principles of Energy Production
3.1.1 Respiratory Chains and ATP Synthase
3.2 Main Types of Microbial Metabolism

3.2.1 Phototrophy
3.2.2 Chemotrophy
3.2.2.1 Chemotrophy: Electron Donor
3.2.2.2 Chemotrophy: Electron Acceptor
3.2.3 Carbon Source: Heterotrophy and Autotrophy
Further Reading
4: Carbon Cycle
4.1 Formation of the Earth's Atmosphere and Fossil Raw Materials
4.2 Material Flows in the Carbon Cycle
4.3 Autotrophic CO2-Fixation
4.3.1 Calvin Cycle
4.3.2 Reductive Citrate Cycle
4.3.3 Reductive Acetyl-CoA Pathway (Acetogenesis)
4.3.4 CO2-Fixation Cycle in Crenarchaeota
4.3.4.1 Dicarboxylate/4-Hydroxybutyrate Cycle

4.3.4.2 3-Hydroxypropionate/4-Hydroxybutyrate Cycle
4.3.5 3-Hydroxypropionate Bi-cycle
4.3.6 Comparison of the CO2-Fixation Processes
4.4 Degradation of Natural Substances
4.4.1 Degradation of Carbohydrates
4.4.1.1 Glycolysis
4.4.1.2 Oxidative Pyruvate Decarboxylation and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle
4.4.1.3 Balance of Aerobic Respiration and Energy Storage
4.4.1.4 Anaerobic Degradation of Carbohydrates
4.4.2 Degradation of Proteins
4.4.3 Degradation of Fats
4.4.4 Degradation of Plant Substances/Lignin and Other Natural Substances/Humus Formation

4.4.4.1 Degradation of Starch
4.4.4.2 Degradation of Cellulose
4.4.4.3 Degradation of Xylan (Hemicellulose)
4.4.4.4 Degradation of Pectin
4.4.4.5 Degradation of Lignin
4.4.4.6 Humification
4.5 Methane Cycle/Methanogenic Food Chain/Methanotrophy
4.5.1 Methane Formation
4.5.2 Methane Degradation
4.5.2.1 Aerobic Degradation (Methylotrophy)
4.5.2.2 Anaerobic Degradation of Methane
References
Further Reading
5: Environmental Chemicals
5.1 Chemicals in the Environment: Distribution and Concentration
5.1.1 Transport Processes