Marine microbiology. Final report. [Role of marine bacteria in the nitrogen cycle in oceans]

Progress is reported on microbial investigations in the marine environment with emphasis on the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle, specifically concentrating on the organisms responsible for microbiological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. The distribution rates of in sit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Watson, S.W.
Language:unknown
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7323692
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7323692
https://doi.org/10.2172/7323692
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Summary:Progress is reported on microbial investigations in the marine environment with emphasis on the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle, specifically concentrating on the organisms responsible for microbiological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. The distribution rates of in situ reactions, fine structure and biochemical properties of these organisms were detailed. Rates of urea, acetate, and glucose decomposition in both inshore and offshore waters were determined using labelled compounds and the significance of these degradations in the hydrosphere was examined. A new test for the determination of bacterial biomass was developed and using this test in conjunction with more standard techniques it was demonstrated that bacteria comprised up to 50 percent of the total biomass in the oceans.