Microbial Behavior and Sediment Stabilization
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOALS. Our goal is to understand how microbial activity and behavior influence the mechanical stability of illuminated littoral marine sediments. We define Abehavior@ as the interaction of bacteria and diatoms with environmental signals that are either auto- produced, or arise from another source. A further goal is to investigate whether these processes, which define sediment optical signatures, can be influenced by anthropogenic intervention. OBJECTIVES. Our objectives are to isolate representative bacteria and diatoms from stabilized sediments and use these organisms in axenic and defined mixed cultures to examine the microbially-driven sediment aggregation process in vitro. The sediment surficial chemistry implicated in adhesion processes is an important variable in sediment particle colonization by microorganisms. We have measured the influence of this parameter on the adhesion process as well as the possibility for cell/cell interaction in the attached cell layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA633828
Entities
People
- B. Wigglesworth-cooksey
- Keith E. Cooksey
Organizations
- Montana State University