ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of microbial processes of importance to. Bacterial processes are the primary focus of discussion because more information is available. However, fungal and actinomycetous contributions, equally important, are also discussed. Information is presented on microbial transformation processes, fate of anthropogenic organics, metals metabolism, and habitat for optimal microbial enzymology in a constructed wetland. Microbial species present in a constructed wetland can be considered an ever-more sophisticated hierarchy of metabolic systems, each bringing a unique enzymatic capability to the bioconversion process. The microorganisms present in a constructed wetland as result of numerous biological and nonbiological or abiotic conditions are the deciding factor in this biotechno-logical process. One of the most important factors affecting microbial rate growth in constructed wetlands is environmental temperature. Reaction conditions in a constructed wetland are mediated not only by the organic substrates introduced to the system but also by inorganic chemicals.
