MICROBIOLOGY OF CARBON CYCLING IN THE BLACK-SEA METHANE SEEP REGION

Methane oxidation and dark bacterial carbon dioxide fixation were stud ied in the region of the Black Sea methane seep on a cruise of R/V Ben tos. Methane concentrations in the deepest water layers of the methane seep region exceeded the values that are common to the western Black Sea shelf waters by two orders of magnitude. High rates of methane oxi dation and carbon dioxide fixation have been found directly above the carbonate formations arising from carbon dioxide in methane oxidation. The inhibition analysis data showed a significant contribution of nit rifying and methane oxidizing bacteria to carbon dioxide fixation in t he region of carbonate formations.