Environmental microbiology and biotechnology are crucial in the modern society. They influence human health, environment and serve as a source of energy and provider of novel bioproducts. The key areas of interest are bioremediation, microbial communities, pathogen detection, wastewater treatment, energy generation, bioprocesses, and natural product discovery. Environmental microbiology must interact with hydrology, biogeochemistry, limnology, oceanography and numerical modeling. This subject will continue to engage future generations of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and policy makers.