322 Book reviews

relatively high concentration of sodium chloride in the cytoplasm. Malate dehydrogenase, on the other hand, seems more sensitive, and the significance of in vivo studies are once more emphasized. The chapter by Molitoris and Schaumann considers the growth and production of a range of enzymes of marine fungi which are then compared with those of terrestrial species. In chapter 6 they evaluate exoenzymes from Lulworthia and show that the genus is perhaps predictably very plastic. Secondary metabolites oflignicolous species are reviewed by Miller and surprisingly they appear to be very limited in range. However, the need to listen carefully to ecologists and to use their observations is seen as the key to the discovery of others.

Sadly, space does not allow a detailed consideration of each chapter and this makes reviewing even more difficult than usual since this is a book of exceptional merit. Nevertheless one is'drawn to the outstandingly clear electron micrographs by Stephen Moss and their interesting contribution to phylogenetic speculation in the Labyrinthulales and Thraustochytriales and later the beautifully illustrated account of mycelial adhesion in a range of marine fungi. The editor is to be congratulated on a very well produced volume which is relatively error free. At a price of £27.50 it is difficult to see how any marine mycologist could do without it and as a terrestrial mycologist ! look forward to more enjoyable reading.

A. J. S. Whalley

Microbiological Decomposition of Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds. By M. L. Rochkind-Dubinsky, G. S. Sayler and J. W. Blackburn, Marcel Dekker, New York, (Microbiology series, Vol. 18), 1987.

This book sets out to give a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, review of the microbial metabolism of chlorinated aromatic compounds. These compounds, which have few naturally occurring analogues have caused considerable concern because of their demonstrable toxicity and resistance to biodegradation. The book is intended as a general reference text for environmentalists, engineers and microbiologists interested in the fate of these potential pollutants.

There are 16 chapters covering basic cell physiology and biochemistry, detailed metabolism of the major classes of chlorinated aromatics and finally overviews of the pathways of biodegradation. The authors have assumed nothing in the construction of the text. There is an excellent glossary of terms and an appendix containing an extensive list of the

Book reviews 323

chemical structures covered in the book. Useful summaries are provided at the end of each chapter.

The first three chapters are concerned with microbial physiology, gene transfer and manipulation, as well as methods for biodegradation assessment. Chapter four contains a comprehensive consideration of microbial metabolism of nonchlorinated aromatic compounds. The following nine chapters cover the biotransformation of chlorobenzoic acids, chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, pentachlorophenol, chlorophenoxy and chlorophenyl herbicides, phenylamide and miscellaneous herbicides, chlorinated biphenyls, DDT and related compounds, and chlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans. Each of these chapters considers both bacterial and fungal metabolism and particular attention is given to mixed microbial communities and consortia. Chapter 14 considers the problems of scaled-up biological treatment processes for elimination of chloroaromatics while Chapter 15 searches for the obvious interrelation- ships between the different decomposition pathways.

This is an excellent reference book, with 489 references cited in the text and a 33-page bibliography containing many review articles. The presentation is good and the authors have tried to tackle this complex subject in an informative way.

Eric May Portsmouth Polytechnic.