Anaeraobic Methane Oxidation in Oceans -- Anaerobic Biodegradation of Steroids -- Anaerobic Degradation of Hydrocarbons: Mechanisms of Hydrocarbon Activation in the Absence of Oxygen -- Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Freshwater Environments -- Catabolic Pathways and Enzymes Involved in the Anaerobic Degradation of Monocyclic Aromatic Compounds -- Catabolic Pathways and Enzymes Involved in the Anaerobic Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons -- Catabolic Pathways and Enzymes Involved in the Anaerobic Degradation of Short-chain Alkanes and Alkenes -- Catabolic Pathways and Enzymes Involved in the Anaerobic Degradation of Terpenes -- Catabolic Pathways and Enzymes Involved in Anaerobic Methane Oxidation -- Compound Specific Isotope Analysis for Studying the Biological Degradation of Hydrocarbons -- Functional Genomics of Anaerobic Degradation of Hydrocarbons: An Introduction -- Functional Genomics of Denitrfying Bacteria Degrading Hydrocarbons -- Functional Genomics of Metal-Reducing Microbes Degrading Hydrocarbons -- Functional Genomics of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Degrading Hydrocarbons -- Functional Genomics of Syntrophic Bacteria Degrading Hydrocarbons -- Functional Marker Gene Analysis for Studying the Diversity of Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Degradation -- Microbial Conversion of Hydrocarbons to Methane in Oil and Coal Reservoirs -- Nucleic Acid Based Isotope Fractionation for Studying Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Degradation -- Protein-based Isotope Fractionation for Studying Anaerobic Hydrcarbon Degradation -- Signature Metabolite Analysis to Determine in situ Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Biodegradation.

The book uniquely covers all aspects of anaerobic biodegradation of the environmentally important hydrocarbons. The contributions by international experts cover the molecular characterization of unique biocatalysts for oxygen-independent C-H-bond functionalization, the identification of unifying concepts, and the presentation of state-of-the-art methodologies. The current knowledge of the global importance of anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation is highlighted.