ISSN:
1432-1793
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract During the “Orgon IV” cruise of the R.V. “Jean Charcot” (November, 1978), the distribution of heterotrophic aerobic, heterotrophic anaerobic, sulfate-reducing and methane-producing bacterial populations was studied at four sediment sampling stations in the Gulf of Aden and Oman Sea. The most important aerobic and anaerobic viable bacterial counts were achieved from samples in the upper layer below the water sediment interface. The maximal numbers of heterotrophic aerobes and anaerobes, as well as sulfate-reducing bacteria were found in the topmost layer (0 to 2 cm), although methanogenic bacteria that were only found in the shallowest station sediment (210 m), exhibited maximal population deeper in the sediment (10 to 12 cm). At the four stations studied, the heterotrophic anaerobic bacteria disappeared most rapidly with increasing core depth, and the heterotrophic aerobic bacteria paradoxically seemed to be more resistant to burying conditions. The coexistence of these four microflora, which exhibit various and even opposite metabolic processes, could be explained by a distinctive microniche juxtaposition in the same sedimentary layer.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00395997
