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DISTRIBUTION AND ACTIVITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN SUBSURFACE SEDIMENTS OF A PRISTINE STUDY SITE IN OKLAHOMA (JOURNAL VERSION)
Citation:
Beloin, R., J. Sinclair, AND W. Ghiorse. DISTRIBUTION AND ACTIVITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN SUBSURFACE SEDIMENTS OF A PRISTINE STUDY SITE IN OKLAHOMA (JOURNAL VERSION). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-88/199.
Description:
Distribution and activity of microorganisms in surface soil and subsurface sediments were studied in depth profiles of six different microbial biomass and activity indicators (total direct counts, number of cells capable of electron transport system activity, viable cell plate counts, most probable numbers of protozoa, and 4-hydroxy-benzoate-degrading microorganisms, and ATP content). The profiles showed same general trends on two different dates (January and June 1985). Seasonal variations were noted, but they were not extreme. Biomass and activity values declined sharply with depth in the unsaturated zone, reaching minima in a clay confining layer in the interface zone between 3 and 4 m. Lowest values were detected in an underlying bedrock clay layer at 8 m, which, despite its impermeability and low viable counts, did contain measurable total counts, 4-hydroxy-benzoate-degrading microorganisms, and ATP. Correlations were noted between sediment texture and microbial activity (i.e., sandy texture = high activity, clayey texture = low activity), but other hydrogeological and geochemical factors probably also influenced microbial distribution and activity in the profile. (Copyright (c) Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 1988.)