Dissolution of calcite in the twilight zone: bacterial control of dissolution of sinking planktonic carbonates is unlikely.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the ability of bacterial communities to colonize and dissolve two biogenic carbonates (Foraminifera and oyster shells). Bacterial carbonate dissolution in the upper water column is postulated to be driven by metabolic activity of bacteria directly colonising carbonate surfaces and the subsequent development of acidic microenvironments. We employed a combination of microsensor measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and image analysis and molecular documentation of colonising bacteria to monitor microbial processes and document changes in shell surface topography. Bacterial communities rapidly colonised shell surfaces, forming dense biofilms with extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) deposits. Despite this, we found no ev

SUBMITTER: Bissett A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3216930 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature