Distribution of bacteria in intertidal sediments of the Ems-Dollard estuary
Schröder, H.G.J.; van Es, F.B. (1980). Distribution of bacteria in intertidal sediments of the Ems-Dollard estuary. Neth. J. Sea Res. 14(3-4): 268-287
In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Schröder, H.G.J.
- van Es, F.B.
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| Abstract |
The distribution of three groups of bacteria in the intertidal sediments of the Ems-Dollard estuary was investigated: the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, the aerobic thiosulphate-(sulphide-) oxidizing bacteria and the anaerobic sulphate-reducing bacteria. Throughout the year the aerobic bacterial populations had a temperature optimum for growth between 15 and 20°C. No significant correlation was found between the viable counts of the heterotrophic bacteria and temperature parameters. The viable counts of both aerobic bacterial groups increased in the direction of sheltered areas and of the inner parts of the estuary. The increase was parallel to the increase of the organic carbon content and the content of finegrained material (mud) in the sediment. The viable counts of the anaerobic sulphate-reducing bacteria was nearly constant in the whole estuary, except at the innermost part (the southern Dollard) where a steep increase was observed. Nevertheless a significant correlation was found between these viable counts and the organic carbon and mud content. The difference in distribution between sulphate reducers and sulphide oxidizers led to the assumption that a large proportion of the sulphide-oxidizing bacteria may be able to grow heterotrophically, i.e. they are mixotrophic sulphide oxidizers or heterotrophs able to gain energy out of the oxidation of sulphide. |
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