Distribution of phototrophic consortia in a stratified lake

Authors:

• A. Kaźmierska,
• Elżbieta Szeląg-Wasielewska

Abstract

Pelochromatium roseum is phototrophic consortium, which is association of green sulfur bacteria that surround a central colorless bacterium and represent the most developed type of a bacterial interaction. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Pelochromatium roseum abundance and biomass in a column of water. In addition, the contribution of these consortia to the total bacterial abundance and biomass was studied. The samples were taken from August to December 2011 in pelagial of eutrophic Strzeszyńskie Lake, which is located in Poznań (Poland). The bacteria were analyzed using a fluorescent microscope and a scanning electron microscope. During summer stratification, the phototrophic consortia were observed at the depth of 10 m to the bottom and the maximum number of phototropic consortia was found in August at the depth of 16 m. The autumn circulation influenced on consortia distribution.