Wesnigk, J. B. and Rheinheimer, Gerhard (1991) Factors influencing the acclimation period preceding the mineralization of organic chemicals by microbial communities. Kieler Meeresforschungen - Sonderheft, 8 . pp. 317-321.

Preview

Text Wesnigk_JB_1991.pdf - Reprinted Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0. Download (278kB) | Preview

Abstract

An acclimated mixed culture of degrading bacteria and a degradable substance (4-Nitrophenol) were introduced into differently treated water samples. It could be shown that in all cases where an acclimated inoculum was used, degradation took place almost immediately compared to not acclimated cultures, where it took at least 10 days. The rate and extent of mineralization was influenced by low temperature, the presence of other organic nutrients and especially protozoan grazing. The data suggest that one of the main reasons for the acclimation period was the very small initial population of degrading bacteria. The role of other carbon sources is ambivalent. Low concentrations of organic chemicals which cannot sustain growth slow down acclimation and the degradation rate. Another important factor slowing down growth is grazing by protozoa, which can inhibit effective degradation.

Actions (login required)

View Item