Book excerpt: Compiling knowledge gained through more than 50 years of experience in environmental engineering technology, this book illustrates the application of fundamental concepts in microbiology to provide a sound basis for the design and operation of various biological systems used in solving environmental challenges in the air, water, and soil. Environmental Pollution Control Microbiology emphasizes the quantitative relationships of microbial growth and metabolism, beginning an examination of the overall metabolism and resulting growth of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, rotifers, and other microorganisms and explains how bacteria bring about the stabilization of biodegradable organic pollutants.