The study of microorganisms was recognised in the early days for its existence and its importance in medical and industrial fields. In the recent days, microbiology is becoming a diversified subject like any other science. Microorganisms are gaining more importance as they are causing serious environmental problems. The role of microorgan- isms as fighters of pollution has also been appreciated.
Environment is the sum total of external influences acting on or- ganism or population. Environment includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship, which exists among and between water, air and land living organisms and their properties.
The Indian mythology described the environment as Panja Maha Budhas, Akas, Vayu, Aap, Prith and Agni (sky, air, water, earth and fire). They all believed to interact to maintain the balanced state both in the environment and organisms. In the environment biochemical changes occur due to the action of micro- organisms.
The first United Nations Conference on Environment and De- velopment (UNCED) was held at Stockholm, Sweden on 5th June1972. In memory of the date, the World Environment day is celebrated every year on June 5th.
Microbes were the first to appear on the earth. They are univer- sally present and innumerable,
a gram of soil contains more than 100 million microbes. They are deeply involved in evolution, biosphere changes and ecological complexities. Microorganisms possess unique capabilities of degrading wastes, generated by industrialization and other activities of expanding human population.
Microorganisms play a prominent role in the following aspects of global ecology. (1) Microbial activities on organic and inorganic sub- strates in soil, water, air and cycling of bioelements occupy a key posi- tion in food chain and energy flow in biosphere.
(2) Autotrophic micro- organisms participate in primary production along with plants. (3) The role of microbes as pathogens and symbionts is important in global ecology. Microbial ecology and environmental microbiology are closely related fields.
Microbial ecology is the study of microbial activities in natural environment and environmental microbiology is the study of microbial activities in both natural and man made environments. It has recently emerged as a field of specialization and applications of mi- crobes for solving environmental problems.
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