Microbial Ecology of Marine Snow
Abstract
The long-term goal of this project has been to develop methodology for examining the rates of protozoan grazing on marine snow particles (macroscopic detrital aggregates) in plankton communities. These detrital aggregates typically contain bacterial communities that are enriched up to several orders of magnitude over the densities of these assemblages in the surrounding seawater, and provide favorable conditions for the growth of their primary consumers, the protozoa. The degree to which microbial activities on marine snow contribute to the processes in the entire water mass is poorly known. This uncertainty is due largely to the difficulties associated with the collection and examination of these populations, and particularly to the difficulties associated with conducting experiments on these fragile microenvironments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA277758
Entities
People
- David A. Caron
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution