Temperature Regulation of Bacterial Activity during the Spring Bloom in Newfoundland Coastal Waters

While the spring phytoplankton bloom in Newfoundland coastal waters is in progress during April and May, at water temperatures between -1° and +2° C, bacterial growth and respiratory rates remain low. Microbial community respiration is not measurable at -0.2° C. Particulate materials that would be u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1986-07, Vol.233 (4761), p.359-361
Main Authors: Pomeroy, Lawrence R., Deibel, Don
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic life
Bacteria
Bacterial growth
Biological and medical sciences
Coastal water
Environmental aspects
Flowers & plants
Food
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Low temperature
Marine
Microbial ecology
Muscle fibers
Myoblasts
Ocean temperature
Oxygen
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Sea water
Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water)
Water temperature
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Summary:While the spring phytoplankton bloom in Newfoundland coastal waters is in progress during April and May, at water temperatures between -1° and +2° C, bacterial growth and respiratory rates remain low. Microbial community respiration is not measurable at -0.2° C. Particulate materials that would be utilized by microorganisms in 2 to 3 days at 20° to 25° C require 11 days at 4° C and 18 days at -0.2° C. Thus, photosynthesis is active but microbial utilization of the products is suppressed. High secondary production in cold water may result from the low rate of microbial decomposition, enabling herbivores to utilize much of the primary production.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.233.4761.359