Bacteriorhodopsin‐mediated CO2 photoassimilation in the Dead Sea1

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Abstract
Surface water samples collected from the Dead Sea in autumn 1981 contained dense populations of halobacteria (4–5.106 cells · ml−1) and only very few algae (Dunaliella) (4–6 cells · ml−1). Primary production measurements showed that the samples displayed light‐dependent CO2 assimilation, the major part of which was not inhibited by DCMU. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that the DCMU‐refractory part of the CO2 photoassimilation could be attributed to the activity of purple membrane‐containing halobacteria. It is suggested that the halobacteria may significantly contribute to light‐dependent CO2 assimilation in the Dead Sea.