Heterotrophic Bacteria in Marine Environments of Eastern Australia

Abstract

Bacteria in marine environments are almost entirely adsorbed on particles and their action is largely controlled by such adsorption. There is evidence of the existence of free enzymes or organic catalysts, possibly of bacterial origin. The extent of bacterial populations in certain marine environments is discussed and also the nature of the bacteria occurring in these environments. True anaerobic heterotrophs are almost, if not completely, absent. Marine bacteria are highly versatile in their reactions and variable in morphology, but do not differ sufficiently from soil and air forms to be regarded as distinct.