Oceanic distribution of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria determined by immunofluorescent assay

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Mar. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6966478

Ward, B B

Marine ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in seawater were enumerated by means of immunofluorescent assays developed for Nitrosococcus oceanus and Nitrosomonas marina. Samples were collected from the coastal waters off the states of Washington and California, from the central North Atlantic and northeast Pacific Oceans, and from Chesapeake Bay. Total abundances of ammonium oxidizers ranged from 10/sup 7/ cells 1/sup -1/ in Chesapeake Bay and 10/sup 5/ cells 1/sup -1/ in inshore ocean waters to 10/sup 3/ to 10/sup 4/ cells 1/sup -1/ in the open ocean. Using mean abundances from surface waters, a potential nitrification rate was calculated. Results imply that microbial nitrification rates in the water column can be substantial and may be sufficient to balance the annual new production demand for nitrate.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle
• DOE Contract Number: AT06-76EV75026
• OSTI ID: 6966478
• Journal Information: J. Mar. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Mar. Res.; (United States) Vol. 40:4; ISSN JMMRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BACTERIA
BAYS
BIOASSAY
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
COASTAL WATERS
FEDERAL REGION I
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
FLUORESCENCE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMMUNE REACTIONS
LUMINESCENCE
MICROORGANISMS
NITRIFICATION
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
POPULATION DENSITY
SEAS
SEAWATER
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASHINGTON
WATER