Microbiology and chemistry in the environment: Two symbiotic species in the same biotope

Abstract

Apparently the global definition of each specific research niche, i.e. microbiology versus chemistry seems to be very exclusive. Environmental Microbiology is defined as the study of microbial processes in the environment, microbial communities and microbial interactions. Environmental Chemistry is often described as the study of the fate and effects of chemicals in the environment. The intersections and the interactions of these 2 disciplines appear a priori very weak looking at their respective definition, but this is not the case. The Environment appears as a common playground for both disciplines. This chapter will briefly demonstrate such an interdisciplinary approach.