ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an introduction to the basic principles of microbiological activity in soils. Specific attention is devoted to the interaction between the soil matrix, contaminants, and microbial processes as they participate in environmental restoration. Microbes, acting in soil, surface water, and groundwater recycle most of the chemical building blocks required for life. Microbes are members of the kingdom of Protista. Protists are usually divided into two broad groups, Eucaryotes and Procaryotes. Procaryotes, considered to be the more primitive microorganisms, include bacteria and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Fungi are aerobic (require oxygen) and usually thrive in more acidic media than bacteria. Autotrophic bacteria must synthesize all of the complicated proteins, enzymes, and other materials needed for life processes. While the biochemistry of autotrophic bacteria is very complicated, their consumption and production are responsible for many geochemical transformations. All direct bacterial oxidation and reduction reaction couples are enzymatically mitigated.
