Environmental microbiology is the study of microbial processes in the environment, microbial communities and microbial interactions. This includes:

• Structure and activities of microbial communities
• Microbial interactions and interactions with macroorganisms
• Population biology of microorganisms
• Microbes and surfaces (adhesion and biofilm formation)
• Microbial community genetics and evolutionary processes
• (Global) element cycles and biogeochemical processes
• Microbial life in extreme and unusual little-explored environments