Structural differences of the microbial community in two sites of the Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) : a statistical analysis
Bruni, V.; La Ferla, R.; Acosta Pomar, M.L.; Salomone, L.
New Microbiologica 18(4): 409-422
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 1121-7138 PMID: 8590394 Document Number: 444468
The microbial community structure was investigated in a one month survey at two sampling stations located in the Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica). The microbial assemblage was studied by direct counts with epifluorescent microscopy (picoplankton and picophytoplankton), fractionated adenosine-triphosphate, lipopolysaccharides and bacterial growth on cultural medium. The results underwent the Spearman rank correlation and the principal component analysis together with other environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, nutrient salts and chlorophyll a) with the aim of revealing differences in the microbial community structure between the in-shore and off-shore sites. The whole pico-sized community is important in the off-shore station, supporting the existence of the microbial loop, while the coastal station seems mainly controlled by abiotic factors.