Aerobic degradation of phytoplankton debris dominated by Phaeocystis sp in different physiological stages of growth

The aerobic degradation of phytoplankton debris collected in Dutch coastal waters on 2 days in 1991 (15 April and 8 May), representing 2 physiological stages of a phytoplankton spring bloom dominated by Phaeocystis sp., was studied in batch culture experiments. The bacterial production and the concentrations of particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOG) were monitored over a period of 102 d. Bacterial numbers and biomass were followed for 35 d. All experiments showed a rapid metabolic response of bacteria and a sharp decrease in the concentration of POC and DOC during... Mehr ...