Microorganisms, including unicellular algae, bacteria,viruses, protozoans, and small metazoans, are vital com ponents of southern ocean habitats (Karl 1993). They are largely responsible for the production and decomposition of organic matter, for the primary uptake and regeneration of inorganic nutr...
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| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.634.4692 http://pal.lternet.edu/docs/bibliography/Public/073lterc.pdf |
| Summary: | Microorganisms, including unicellular algae, bacteria,viruses, protozoans, and small metazoans, are vital com ponents of southern ocean habitats (Karl 1993). They are largely responsible for the production and decomposition of organic matter, for the primary uptake and regeneration of inorganic nutrients, and for export of carbon and energy to intermediate ocean depths. Furthermore, microbial growth and metabolism can have a profound effect on sea water pH and redox state and, therefore, can influence the distribution, speciation, and availability of certain elements and com pounds. Consequently, field data both on individual groups of microorganisms and on the complex interactions among them are necessary for a complete assessment of the role of marine microorganisms on both local and global environments. |
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