Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Aquatic Microbial Ecology

Publication Date

2-13-2003

First Page

33

Last Page

47

Issue Number

1

Volume Number

31

Abstract/ Summary

Bacterial production assays (thymidine incorporation rates) were used to evaluate the activity of heterotrophic bacteria at the chemocline region in both the East (ELB) and West (WLB) Lobes of permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney, in the Taylor Valley of Antarctica. The magnitude of activity varied dramatically within the depth interval of 1 to 2 m from moderate to very low levels below the chemocline, especially in the East Lobe, where chemical distributions indicate the absence of a normally functioning nitrogen cycle. Several parameters (e.g. addition of nutrients or chelators, dilution) were manipulated in incubation experiments in order to identify factors that would enhance activity in the suboxic deep waters of the East Lobe. Activity, in terms of thymidine incorporation, was consistently detected in the deep-water communities, implying that, although the water may be 'toxic', the cells remain viable. None of the treatments resulted in consistent enhancement of thymidine incorporation rates in samples from below the chemocline. Bacterial populations above the chemocline appear to be phosphorus-limited. The nature of the limitation, toxicity or inhibition that limits bacterial activity in the suboxic waters has not been identified.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Ward BB, Granger J, Maldonado MT, Wells ML. What Limits Bacterial Production in the Suboxic Region of Permanently Ice-Covered Lake Bonney, Antarctica?. Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 2003;31(1): 33-47.

Publisher Statement

Copyright 2003 Inter-Research.

DOI

10.3354/ame031033

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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