Decomposition of Organic Matter in Sea Water by Bacteria

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Abstract
I. When sea water was placed in glass containers and stored in the laboratory or in the sea, rapid multiplication of the bacteria took place. The bacteria multiply at the expense of the organic matter in the water in suspension and in solution, as measured by an increase in O consumption. The maximum development of bacteria takes place within 2-3 days, at 20-30[degree]C. At lower temps. the rise in bacterial activities is much slower; however, in time they may attain as high if not a higher maximum than at the higher temp. The O concentration of the water is highly important for bacterial activities; at a reduced O tension, the organic matter of the water is attacked with considerable difficulty. In the decomposition of the organic matter in the water by bacteria, a definite parallelism was obtained between bacterial multiplication, O consumption, and liberation of N in an available form. These results lead to the conclusion that sea water contains sufficient organic matter in true solution to support, under favorable conditions, an extensive bacterial population.[long dash]II. It was found that the amt. and specific nature of the organic substances added to sea water control the abundance of the bacterial population developing in the water. The decomposition of a N-free organic material, e.g., glucose, added to the water is controlled by the amt. of available N in the water. As a result of the decomposition of the organic matter in sea water, some of the N is liberated in an available form; this can be measured not only directly as ammonia, but also indirectly, by the extent of decomposition of glucose added to the water. Any excess of glucose remains unattacked, unless some available N is also introduced.

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