Bacteria–Organic Matter Relationship in Sediments: A Case of Spurious Correlation
- 1 May 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
- Vol. 46 (5) , 904-908
- https://doi.org/10.1139/f89-116
Abstract
A longstanding claim regarding the existence of a strong positive relationship between bacterial abundance and organic matter in aquatic sediments is shown to be potentially spurious. The statistical significance of the relationship results primarily from standardization of both variables to dry weight of sediments. We suggest that other published relationships may be similarly artifactual. Deceptive results are possible unless standardization is done with caution.This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Relationship between microbial activity of stream sediments, determined by three different methods, and abiotic variablesMicrobial Ecology, 1986
- Benthic Bacterial Biomass and Production in Two Blackwater RiversCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1986
- Effect of detritus supply on trophic relationships within experimental benthic food webs. II. Microbial responses, fate and composition of decomposing detritusJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 1985
- Productivity of bacteria and microalgae and the effect of grazing by holothurians in sediments on a coral reef flatMarine Biology, 1985
- Relationships between bacteria and grain surfaces in intertidal sediments1Limnology and Oceanography, 1983
- Recognition of the Possible: An Advantage of Empiricism in EcologyCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1982
- The use of DAPI for identifying and counting aquatic microflora1Limnology and Oceanography, 1980
- Interrelationships Between Microbiological and Chemical Parameters of Sandy Beach Sediments, a Summer AspectApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 1980