Ecology

This huge chapter surveys the RNA phage ecology as a part of the total phage ecology, first, emphasizing the striking role of the RNA phages by the surveillance of water quality and general pollution of the surroundings. The rise of the RNA phages to the status of the surrogates of human and animal pathogens is described in detail. Then, the huge literature on the very different phage inactivation methods is overlooked as a part of the global disinfection problem, since the RNA phages not only sped up the rapid development of molecular biology, but also attracted a purely chemical interest to the inactivation of genomic nucleic acids, in this case RNA, and pioneered the application of chemistry to the problems of biological purity and safety. Thus, the inactivation of the RNA phages by UV irradiation, ionizing radiation, photosensitizing agents, chlorine, alkaline treatment, peracetic acid, ozone, heat, sunlight, high pressure, ultrasound, CO₂, graphene and carbon nanomaterials, as well as other nanomaterials is highlighted. Special emphasis is made on the water treatment and source tracking in wastewater, on the food production, processing, and storage, as well as on the patient care by clinical applications.