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Relation of Bacteria to Diatoms In Sea Water

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Selman A. Waksman  and
Margaret R. Butler
Selman A. Waksman
Affiliation:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Margaret R. Butler
Affiliation:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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Extract

1. Dead marine diatom plankton was found to undergo rapid oxidation and decomposition when added to fresh sea water. This was measured by oxygen consumption, nitrogen liberation, phosphate regeneration and bacterial multiplication.

2. Living diatoms added to sea water and placed in the dark continued to absorb oxygen; they were rather resistant to bacterial attack.

3. Diatom-rich marine plankton also absorbed oxygen, while the phosphorus was gradually regenerated. The bacteria did not increase in numbers in correspondence with the oxidation of the fresh diatom material.

4. When sea water in which photosynthesis was allowed to proceed for varying periods of time was placed in the dark, rapid oxidation of the freshly synthesized material took place, as indicated by oxygen consumption and phosphate liberation. Although there was a greater number of bacteria in the water in which photosynthesis took place, the oxidation of the fresh diatom material was not accompanied by any large increase in bacteria; in fact a decrease in numbers was frequently observed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , November 1937 , pp. 359 - 373
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1937

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