The aerobic bacterial flora of a raised bog

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Abstract

Aerobic bacteria were present in a raised bog at all depths down to 3 m. The numbers generally decreased with increasing depth, however, on some profiles the numbers increased at 0.5–1 m and decreased below 1 m.

Correlation coefficients between most probable bacterial numbers and environmental factors were determined. Significant negative correlations were found for depth and water content. Significant positive correlations were found for ash, N and P content.

The major proportion of the population consisted of spore formers, particularlyBacillus circulans. The proportion ofBacillus spp. present in the peat as spores generally increased with depth and below 2.5 m no vegetative forms were present. The remaining bacteria were mainly short Gram-negative rods and a small proportion of pleomorphicArthrobacter spp.

Measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents suggested that the microbial population was metabolically inactive and unlikely to play a significant role in inducing changes in the peat.

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    Present address: Weed Research Organisation, Begbroke Hill, Yarnton, Oxford, England.

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