SEDL / STP / STP673-EB / STP38147S

Three Experimental Regimes in the Study of Sediment Microbial Ecology

Christian, RR
Full professor, Department of Microbiology, University,

Wiebe, WJ
Full professor, Department of Microbiology, University,

Pages: 8    Published: Jan 1979

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Abstract

To develop a predictive knowledge of the microbial ecology of sediments, an experimental approach must be taken. Examples of three experimental regimes in intertidal marine sediments are given. These regimes include in vitro mud slurry, in vitro intact core, and in situ experiments. Results varied qualitatively with the regime used. While in vitro regimes may be acceptable for testing certain hypotheses, they always represent models of the real system. Therefore, we advise the use of in situ experimentation whenever feasible.