The Attachment of Microorganisms to Glass Slides Submerged in San Diego Bay, with Special Reference to a Colonial Protozoan.
Abstract
Glass and plexiglas slides submerged in waters of San Diego Bay were removed at frequent intervals from various depths and the attached microbial flora and fauna studied. The slides became covered within a period of a day by a variety of microorganisms but after 7-9 days, slides suspended near the bottom were invested with debris encrusted, branched, multiheaded organisms identified as the stalked protozoan Zoothamnium sp. Living specimens occurred at all depths but only after 7-9 days on slides near the bottom did massive numbers of organisms encrusted with debris appear. It was demonstrated that only dead organisms become so encrusted. A possible explanation of the rapid development of microbial films on these slides is offered, and the importance of periphytic organisms in the initiation of heavy fouling of surfaces is discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 10, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0746887
Entities
People
- William A. Corpe
Organizations
- Barnard College