SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1979
STP36012S

Heterotrophic Activity Measured with Radiolabelled Organic Substrates

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Microbial ecologists have employed a variety of methods using radiolabelled organic substrates to measure the activity of heterotrophic bacteria in natural waters. The relationships between natural and added substrate concentrations and between subtrate concentration and uptake rate provide important criteria for evaluating the different methods. The methods presented and discussed are: (1) direct calculation approach, (2) tracer approach, (3) kinetic approaches (including transport kinetics and diffusion kinetics), and (4) an alternative kinetic approach. The first three differ in the data yielded, and are recommended for specific applications where heterotrophic activity is to be measured. The fourth method is not recommended, as it is shown to be based on faulty assumptions. The authors conclude that the available methods are best viewed as tools for investigative research. Moves towards standardization should be made cautiously.

Author Information

Wright, RT
Gordon College, Wenham, Mass.
Burnison, BK
Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: D19
Pages: 140–155
DOI: 10.1520/STP36012S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4760-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0526-3