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Heterotrophic bacteria and bacterivorous protozoa in oceanic macroaggregates
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 19, 1982
Summary
Oceanic macroaggregates like marine snow harbor significantly higher bacterial and protozoan populations. These particles create enriched microenvironments crucial for marine organic matter cycling.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Oceanography
- Planktonic ecology
Background:
- Oceanic macroaggregates, including marine snow and Rhizosolenia mats, are common in marine ecosystems.
- Understanding microbial life associated with these aggregates is key to marine biogeochemical cycles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize microbial populations (bacteria and protozoa) on oceanic macroaggregates.
- To compare microbial communities on macroaggregates with those in surrounding Sargasso Sea waters.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of oceanic macroaggregates (marine snow, Rhizosolenia mats) from the Sargasso Sea.
- Microscopic and enumeration techniques to quantify bacterial and protozoan abundance and diversity.
Main Results:
- Macroaggregates showed bacterial and protozoan populations up to 10,000 times greater than surrounding waters.
- Specific bacterial morphologies (filamentous, curved, spiral) were more abundant on particles.
- Protozoan communities were dominated by heterotrophic microflagellates, with ciliates and amoebas also present.
Conclusions:
- Oceanic macroaggregates serve as highly enriched heterotrophic microenvironments.
- These aggregates play a significant role in the cycling of particulate organic matter within planktonic food webs.
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