Physicochemical Parameters for Growth of the Sea Ice Bacteria Glaciecola punicea ACAM 611(T) and Gelidibacter sp. Strain IC158

The water activity and pH ranges for growth of Glaciecola punicea (a psychrophile) were extended when this organism was grown at suboptimal rather than optimal temperatures. No such extension was observed for Gelidibacter sp. strain IC158 (a psychrotolerant bacterium) at analogous temperatures. Salinity and pH may be primary physicochemical parameters controlling bacterial community development in sea ice.