BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM SEA-WATER AND MARINE MUD OFF MANDAPAM (GULF OF MANNAR AND PALK BAY)

Abstract

The heterotrophic bacteria commonly present in the marine environment have received little attention, though specialised groups such as the agar digesters have been extensively investigated. Existing knowledge of marirle bacteria is comprehensively summarised by Zobell and Upham (1944) and Zobell (1946), a significant addition since then, being the report of extensive investigations on bacteria from marine sources in AustraUa by Wood (1953). Qualitatively, the bacterial flora of marine environments in different parts of the world recorded by different researchers shows some differences. How far this is due to seasonal and environmental differences, and to differences in the techniques employed in the investigations, is not known.