Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments

by Seckbach, J.

• ISBN13: 9781402061110
• ISBN10: 1402061110
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments is a unique collection of essays, contributed by leading scientists from around the world, devoted to algae ' and some related microbes ' observed in unexpected harsh habitats, which it seems are an oasis or Garden of Eden for these organisms. This timely book on Extremophilic algae, including its especially impressive micrographs, may provide clues about the edges of life on Earth and possibly elsewhere in the universe.Defining locations from the anthropomorphic point of view, the environments explored ranges from severe and distant to 'œnormal' places. The algae discussed, microbial oxygenic phototrophs, are classified into various categories according to their habitats. They thrive in various temperature ranges, at the limits of pH values, in salt solutions, under UV radiation, dryness, heavy metals, anaerobic niches, under various levels of illuminations, and under hydrostatic pressure. Authors discuss bio-diversely algal territories ecologically ' the hot springs with the thermophiles or acido-thermophiles; Antarctica, the Arctic, and permafrost zones with their cold lovers (Psychrophiles); soda lakes with the alkaliphiles, saltine areas with halophiles. In addition to general essays, Algal species discussed in detail include diatoms, Cyanidium, Galdieria, Dunaliella, and Chroococcidiopsis.This volume is a must for students of the field of biodiversity, as well as those in phycology, ecology and general biological research.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Algal World/Meltem Conk Dalay
General Introduction
Oxygenic Photosynthetic Microorganisms in Extreme Environments: Possibilities and Limitations	p. 5
Phototrophs at High and Low Light
Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Cyanobacteria and Their Protective Mechanisms	p. 31
The Hidden Life of Algae Underground	p. 49
Meromictic Lakes as Habitats for Protists: Life in the Chemocline and Below?	p. 61
Marine Phototrophs in the Twilight Zone	p. 81
Phototrophs in the Marine Environment
Biology of the Chlorophyll D-Containing Cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina	p. 103
Phylogenetics, Molecular Biology and Ecological Impacts of a Group of Highly Unusual Protists: The Dinoflagellates	p. 127
Diatoms: Living in a Constructal Environment	p. 143
The Margin of the Sea: Survival at the Top of the Tides	p. 175
Seaweeds on the Abrasion Platforms of the Intertidal Zone of Eastern Mediterranean Shores	p. 195
Status of Mangrove Ecosystem: Exploring the Potential Role of Cyanobacteria in Restoration and Afforestation	p. 211
Intertidal Sandy Beaches as a Habitat Where Plastid Acquisition Processes are Ongoing	p. 227
Hydrochemical Key to the Genesis of Calcareous Nonlaminated and Laminated Cyanobacterial Microbialites	p. 241
Soil and Freshwater Micro-Algae as a Food Source for Invertebrates in Extreme Environments	p. 267
Phototrophs in Cold Environments
Cold Tolerance in Cyanobacteria and Life in the Cryosphere	p. 289
Cyanobacteria in Antarctic Lake Environments: A Mini-Review	p. 305
Green Cryosestic Algae	p. 323
Psychrophilic Diatoms: Mechanisms for Survival in Freeze-Thaw Cycles	p. 345
Algae at Extreme Low Temperatures: The Cryobank	p. 367
Phototrophs in Hot Alkaline and Acidic Environments and Non-Thermal Acidic Habitats
Cyanidiophyceae: Looking Back-Looking Forward	p. 389
Diversity of the Cosmopolitan Thermophile Mastigocladus laminosus at Global, Regional and Local Scales	p. 401
The Thermophilic Cyanobacteria of the Zerka Ma'in Thermal Springs in Jordan	p. 413
Iron-Tolerant Cyanobacteria: Implications for Astrobiology	p. 427
Extreme Acidophiles: Freshwater Algae Associated with Acid Mine Drainage	p. 445
Eukaryotic Community Structure from Rio Tinto (Sw, Spain), a Highly Acidic River	p. 467
Species Composition of Cyanidiales Assemblages in Pisciarelli (Campi Flegrei, Italy) and Description of Galdieria phlegrea sp. nov	p. 489
A Genomics Approach to Understanding the Biology of Thermo-Acidophilic Red Algae	p. 505
Enigmatic Archaeal and Eukaryotic Life at Hydrothermal Vents and in Marine Subsurface Sediments	p. 521
Phototrophs Under Water Stress: Dry and Hypersaline Environments
North American Desert Microbiotic Soil Crust Communities: Diversity Despite Challenge	p. 539
Chroococcidiopsis from Desert to Mars	p. 555
Chlorophyta on Land: Independent Lineages of Green Eukaryotes from Arid Lands	p. 571
Aeroterrestrial Algae Growing on Man-Made Surfaces: What are the Secrets of their Ecological Success?	p. 585
The Systematics of Subaerial Algae	p. 601
Diversity, Distribution and Ecology of Green Algae and Cyanobacteria in Urban Habitats	p. 621
Diversity of Organic Osmotic Compounds and Osmotic Adaptation in Cyanobacteria and Algae	p. 641
Adaptation of Algae to Changing Environments
Cyanobacteria: Diversity and Versatility, Clues to Life in Extreme Environments	p. 661
Life in a Hypervariable Environment: Algae of the Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma, USA	p. 683
Other Microorganisms and Extreme Habitats
The Fate of Biological Materials in Acidic Environments of the Rio Tinto, Southwestern Spain	p. 699
Deep-Sea Microbial Eukaryotes in Anoxic, Microoxic, and Sulfidic Environments	p. 713
Fungal Associations at the Cold Edge of Life	p. 739
The Early Earth's Record of Supposed Extremophilic Bacteria and Cyanobacteria, at 3.8 to 2.5 Ga	p. 761
Outlook-Summary
Algae and Cyanobacteria Under Environmental Extremes: Final Comments	p. 783
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