Density, activity, and diversity of bacteria indigenous to a karstic aquifer
Rusterholtz KJ and Mallory LM. 1994. Density, activity, and diversity of bacteria indigenous to a karstic aquifer. Microbial Ecology. 28(1):79-99
The microbial ecology of karstic ground water is largely unknown. The density, activity, and diversity of bacteria indigenous to subsurface karstic material in Mammoth Cave National Park were studied using minimally disruptive, on-site procedures. Two sites, (Olivia's Dome and Catherine's Dome in Mammoth Cave) were examined. A total of 237 strains recovered from low- and high-nutrient media and 10 reference strains were examined for 117 morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. Methodology for collection and examination are given. Results were coded in a binary fashion and analyzed using numerical taxonomic techniques. 52 clusters, ranging in size from 2 to 13 members were defined at the 80-85% similarity level with the weighted pair-group mathematical average algorithm (WPGMA). Presumptively identified genera include, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Bacillus, Cornyebacterium, Actinomyces, Aureobacterium, Chromobacterium, an Mycobacterium. Pseudomonas spp. were not recovered. 50% of the clustered operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were not identified. 30% of the clustered OTUs were irregular, asporogenous, Gram-positive rods. The bacterial communities varied between sites. This variation is discussed in the paper.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rusterholtz, Karl; Mallory, Larry
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Bacteria, Biochemistry, Ecology, Groundwater, Karst, Morphology, Physiology