Abstract
Thalassia testudinum Konig litter was incubated up to 3 yr in flowing sea-water tanks and litterbags in the field. Weight loss of litter was evident within 1 wk and 50% loss of ash free dry weight took < 35 days. Carbon and nitrogen were lost from litter, but the C : N ratio (by weight) changed only slightly over the first 180 days of incubation. Protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content of litter decreased with time. Number of bacteria on litter increased from ≈ 9 to 37–60 × 10 9 cells · g dry wt −1. Lipid synthesis activity suggested a succession in the litter microbial community. Thalassia detritus from long-term tank incubations (2 to 3 yr) exhibited similarities in biochemical composition with particulate matter in natural water.
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