Hydrogen production potential of fermentative microorganisms from the Sargasso Sea

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Abstract
Particles in nepheloid layer water from four stations in the Sargasso Sea (25–55 m depth) were gently concentrated by reverse flow filtration and tested for their micro‐bial hydrogen production potential. After the addition of a reducing agent and nutrient supplements, the samples were incubated in the dark, under argon. Controls were prepared by filtering the concentrate through 0.2‐μm membrane filters to remove particulates and microorganisms. The total bacterial population ranged from 7.3 × 104 to 1.8 × 105 cells ml−1. Hydrogen production occurred in the experimental vials from all stations; hydrogen in the control vials was 5 to 106 nl per 25‐ml sample. These results suggest that fermentative, hydrogen‐producing microorganisms are abundant in the nutrient‐poor Sargasso Sea and, given suitable in situ conditions, are a potential source of dissolved hydrogen.