I would strongly recommend it for library purchase and the reading list of advanced students in this field. Microbiology Today, May 2009 Nearly a decade since its landmark publication, this book has been thoroughly revised in this valuable new edition Like the successful first edition, Microbial Ecology of the Oceans, Second Edition is unique and fills a void in the rapidly growing fields of marine microbiology, microbial ecology, and microbial oceanography. Here, a carefully selected team of international experts explores issues of enduring importance to microbial ecologists, including: Genomes and metagenomes of marine microbes Microbial evolution, as revealed by molecular techniques Microbes in carbon budgets and cycles Viruses and grazers of bacteria Microbes and N cycle reactions in sediments The role of microbes in food web dynamics Biogeochemical cycles in the ocean In addition to drawing on the long history of microbiology, the contributors also include discussions of the latest advances in biological and chemical oceanography to examine the role of microbes and viruses in the oceans. Richly illustrated with black“and“white photographs and drawings, and complemented with a comprehensive list of additional reading for each chapter, this important new edition provides readers with current information in the fields of marine microbiology and microbial ecology. It is designed for students and researchers in biological and chemical oceanography, geochemistry, marine chemistry, freshwater ecology, and general microbiology. It is also appropriate for professionals and advanced students in related fields.