Aquatic microbial ecophysiology

biology
biotechnology
environmental protection

elective courses

Classroom and field classes

Lectures: Aquatic microorganisms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes). Characteristics and specific physico-chemical properties of aquatic environments affecting the presence of microorganisms. Organic matter in the aquatic systems. Primary production. Organic matter - substrates for the growth and energy in microbial heterotrophic metabolism (assimilation, respiration, growth efficiency, generation time). Microbial ectoenzymes in waters. Bacterial production. Microbial loop. Viruses and phages (existence, ecological meaning). Biogeochemical activity of microorganisms. Methods and approaches to the study microbial activity and microbial processes in aquatic environments. Microbial biodiversity and function.

Lectures: Aquatic microorganisms (dynamics of numbers and biomass, microbial relationships). Characteristics and specific physico-chemical properties of aquatic environments (inorganic biogenic substances, solar radiation, temperature, biological reactive gases, thermal stratification) affecting the presence of microorganisms. Organic matter in aquatic systems (origin, composition). Primary production (phytoplankton, photosynthetic bacteria, chemosynthesis). Extracellular release by phytoplankton (primary and secondary metabolites). Organic matter - substrates for the growth and energy in microbial heterotrophic metabolism (assimilation, respiration, growth efficiency, generation time). Microbial ectoenzymes in waters (activity, regulation of synthesis, role in cellular metabolism and ecosystem function). Bacterial production (biomass production rates, effect of environmental regulatory factors). Microbial loop (components, trophic interactions, ecological role). Viruses and phages (existence, ecological meaning). Biogeochemical activity of microorganisms (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus cycles). Extracellular nucleic acids in aquatic systems (concentrations, degradation, ecological significance). Microbial biodiversity and function. Methods and approaches to the study microbial activity and microbial processes in aquatic environments.

Experimental course: The aim of field experimental course is to learn specific approaches and techniques to the study of microorganisms, activity and microbial processes in lakes (enumeration of abundance, biomass, trophic and paratrophic interactions, degradation of organic matter, genetic and biochemical diversity). Each experimental team (3-4 persons) is conducting experiments on particular mini-project.

0. Brock Biology of Microorganisms (14th Edition): Michael T. Madigan ...

1. Overbeck, J., Chróst, R.J. (eds.) (1990): Aquatic Microbial Ecology: Biochemical and Molecular Approaches. Springer Verlag, New York, pp. 190.

2. Chróst, R.J. (1991): Microbial Enzymes in Aquatic Environments. Springer Verlag, New York, pp. 385.

3. Overbeck, J. & Chróst, R.J. (eds.) (1994): Microbial Ecology of Lake Plußsee. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 392

4. Chróst, R.J., Rai, H. (1994): Bacterial secondary production, pp.. 92-117. - In: Overbeck, J., Chróst, R.J. (eds.), Microbial Ecology of Lake Plußsee. Springer-Verlag, New York.

5. Koton-Czarnecka M., Chróst, R.J. 2001. Konsumpcja bakterii przez pierwotniaki w ekosystemach wodnych. - Post. Mikrobiol. 40: 219-240

6. Siuda, W. 2001. Enzymatyczna regeneracja ortofosforanu w wodach jezior. - Post. Mikrobiol. 40:187-217

7. Wetzel, R.G. 2001. Limnology. Lake and River Ecosystems. Third Ed. Academic Press, San Diego, 1006 pp.

8. Chróst, R.J., Siuda, W. 2002. Ecology of microbial enzymes in lake ecosystems, str. 35-72. W: Burns, R., Dick, R. (eds.), Enzymes In The Environment: Activity, Ecology, and Applications. - Mercel Dekker, Inc., New York

9. Azam, F., A. Z. Worden. 2004. Microbes, molecules, and marine ecosystems. - Science 303: 1622-1624

10. Walczak, M., Donderski, W. 2005. Bakterioneuston zbiorników wodnych. - Post. Mikrobiol. 44: 275-288.

11. Skowrońska, A., Zmysłowska, I. 2006. Współczesne metody identyfikacji bakterii stosowane w ekologii mikroorganizmów wodnych - Fluorescencyjna hybrydyzacja in situ (FISH). - Post. Mikrobiol. 45: 183-193.

12. Chróst, R.J., Siuda, W. (2006): Microbial production, utilization, and enzymatic degradation of organic matter in the upper trophogenic water layer in the pelagial zone of lakes along a eutrophication gradient. - Limnol. Oceanogr. 51: 749-762.

13. Grossart HP, Simon M?. 2007. Interactions of planktonic algae and bacteria: effects on algal growth and organic matter dynamics?. - Aquatic Microb. Ecol. 47: 163-176

Student:

- has extensive knowledge of the importance of microbial metabolic processes for the functioning of natural ecosystems.

- understands the complex relationship existing between microorganisms living in aquatic environments.

- Can use modern analytical methods, including molecular biology, to assess the state of natural aquatic environments.

- knows the principles of aquatic environments remediation, and is able to plan complex restoration activities based on the current state of the art in microbial ecology.

- can discuss the issues related to the microbiological aspect of the protection of natural water resources.

- can interpret the results of research based on literary knowledge.

Attestation:

experimental course - seminar presentation of the results at the end of course;

lectures - written test.