Parameters of microbiological processes of organic matter destruction in bottom sediments from the Baltic Sea

Microbiological processes of organic matter (OM) destruction in bottom sediments of the Baltic Sea in the winter period (January-February) of 1995 were investigated. Daily rates of some processes reached were as follow: total destruction of OM was 10-130 mg C/m**2 absorption of O2 was 0-59 mg/m**2, release of CO2 was 18-120 mg C/m**2, assimilation of CO2 was 2.6-36 mg C/m**2, sulfate reduction was 2.7-90 mg S/m**2, methanogenesis was 0.06-5.4 ml CH4/m**2, and aerobic methane oxidation was 0-4.3 ml CH4/m**2. It was found that the major part of OM in the sediments was destroyed anaerobically. As this occurred, reduced products of decay were incorporated into bacterial metabolism. In winter products of chemosynthesis and methane compensated for deficiency of OM photosynthesis in the ecosystem.

本研究针对1995年冬季（1月至2月）波罗的海海底沉积物中有机质（Organic Matter, OM）降解的微生物过程展开调查。部分相关过程的日速率如下：有机质总降解量为10~130 mg C/m²，氧气吸收量为0~59 mg/m²，二氧化碳释放量为18~120 mg C/m²，二氧化碳同化量为2.6~36 mg C/m²，硫酸盐还原速率为2.7~90 mg S/m²，产甲烷速率为0.06~5.4 ml CH₄/m²，好氧甲烷氧化速率为0~4.3 ml CH₄/m²。研究发现，沉积物中绝大多数有机质通过厌氧途径完成降解。在此降解过程中，有机质分解产生的还原产物会参与细菌的代谢活动。冬季时，化能合成产物与甲烷代谢产物可弥补该生态系统中光合途径产生的有机质缺口。