Abstract
During austral summer 1988/89, total bacterial Acridine Orange Direct Counts (AODC) in seawater, mean 6.0×106 l−1, were three to ten times lower than generally reported for the Bransfield Strait to north Weddell Sea area. In contrast, numbers of viable bacteria (Colony Forming Units, CFU), mean 10.6×103 l−1 were two to three times higher than reported. Bacterial abundance here shows large seasonal and spatial changes. On the basis of bacterial, diatom, detritus, and amino acid data from this study, two main regions were defined: ‘Cold winter water’ in the west with high salinity and low CFU, AODC, and other parameters. In the east, lower salinity and higher values for all parameters were found in warmer meltwater at the surface. CFU and AODC values in ice were respectively six and 85 times higher than in surrounding seawater. Taxonomic studies indicate considerable diversity in genera and nutritional requirements of isolated bacteria. Sea-ice and water column bacterial communities differed. Many isolated strains, however, were found in both habitats. Sea-ice seems to be important in regulating surrounding bacterioplankton.
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