Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 4th Edition.

ISBN: 9781555816025
ISBN-10: 1555816029
Copyright: 2016
Edition: 4th
Editor: Yates, Marylynn V., Nakatsu, Cindy H., Miller, Robert V., Pillai, Suresh D.,
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 99
Reviewer: John Pierce,  MBBS(MD) PhD  (Navy Environmental Health Center)
Description
This book covers microbes in air, water, and soil and their impact on human health and welfare. This edition provides critical updates regarding the microbial risk assessment process, a summary of updates to study environmental microorganisms, and the assessment of microbial presence in natural and built environments.
Purpose
Environmental microbiology is part of the broader American Society for Microbiology. As such, the book provides critical references for practicing clinical and environmental microbiologists.
Audience
The composition of the senior editorial board serves as a guide to potential readership. Dr. Yates is in a department of environmental sciences (UC-Riverside), while Dr. Nakatsu serves in a department of agronomy (Purdue), Dr. Miller works in a department of microbiology and molecular genetics (Oklahoma State), and Dr. Pillai is posted at the National Center for Electron Beam Research (Texas A&M). The contributor list numbers over 180, spanning four continents and many subdisciplines. I would expect the readership to derive from similar diverse affiliations. Water and wastewater specialists also will number among readers.
Features
This book actually contains four volumes: general methodology (analytical detection to sample collection); environmental public health microbiology (surveying microorganisms in water, air, or soil); microbial ecology (means of classifying and explaining relationships); and biodegradation and biotransformation (transformations and degradation of natural- and man-made chemicals).
Assessment
ASM Press has prepared a wonderful book essential to the science of environmental microbiologists, microbial ecologists, and environmental engineers. The new features in this edition justify this update.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book 5
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10