The role of phototrophic bacteria in the sulfur cycle of a meromictic lake1
Abstract
During the summer months a dense population of green sulfur bacteria was observed in meromictic Knaack Lake, Wisconsin, at a depth where oxygen was not present. During the day, H2S was also absent at this depth but built up at night. 14CO2 studies revealed that in the light the green bacteria were photosynthetically active and oxidized the H2S. The ratio of H2S oxidized to CO2 fixed was about 0.5, indicating that H2S was completely oxidized to sulfate. In the dark, CO2 fixation did not occur and H2S accumulated. These results are related to the diurnal changes of H2S in the lake and to sulfate reduction rates in the water column.
- Publication:
-
Limnology and Oceanography
- Pub Date:
- September 1981
- DOI:
- 10.4319/lo.1981.26.5.0880
- Bibcode:
- 1981LimOc..26..880P