Environmental Microbiology

Alex Sivan

sediments

Deep water

Not much difference in bacterial population between extreme environments

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Cellular productivity is different in various habitats. The overall production depends on population size and generation time

Total number of prokaryots: 4-6 x 1030

Amount of cellular prokaryotic C: 350-550Pg (1Pg = 1015g) 60 – 100% of C in plants

N: 85 – 130Pg P: 9 – 14Pg

10 folds more N+ P compared to plants