Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Microbial degradation of Phaeocystis material in the water column
Thingstad, F.; Billen, G. (1994). Microbial degradation of Phaeocystis material in the water column. J. Mar. Syst. 5(1): 55-65. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0924-7963(94)90016-7
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Thingstad, F.
  • Billen, G., more

Abstract
    Observational evidence shows that the large amounts of mucilaginous substances produced by blooms of Phaeocystis colonies largely resist rapid microbial degradation in surface waters of most Phaeocystis-dominated ecosystems. In this paper the biodegradability of Phaeocystis colony-derived material is analysed with respect to current knowledge and novel data on the chemical nature of Phaeocystis material in relationship with specific bacterial enzymatic activities. Particular emphasis is given to the chemical nature of Phaeocystis colony matrix which constitutes more than 80% of total colony biomass at maximum development. This analysis gives evidence of the potential biodegradability of this mucilaginous material made of nutrient-deprived polysaccharides. Other factors controlling microbial degradation as the production of antibacterial substances by Phaeocystis colonies, cold temperature and lack of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate are further considered. It is concluded that nutrient limitation currently observed at the senescent stage of Phaeocystis blooms might well explain the low biodegradability of Phaeocystis material. However the lack of bacteria attached to colonies during the exponential phase of Phaeocystis bloom development are not clearly understood and needs further investigations.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors