Ti. Zemskaya et al., MICROORGANISMS IN BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF LAKE-BAIKAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS, Russian journal of ecology, 28(1), 1997, pp. 36-40
The distribution of microorganisms, participating in cycles of carbon
and sulfur depending on environmental conditions, was studied in botto
m sediments of Lake Baikal. Abundance of studied groups of microorgani
sms fluctuated within one order of magnitude. The values determined in
the 1990s were comparable with data published earlier. This attested
to the stable state of microflora in bottom sediments of Baikal. The r
eplacement of one physiological group by others was observed along the
core: saprophytes were outnumbered by thionic bacteria with depth, pu
trefactive and sulfate-reducing bacteria developed more actively in su
bsurface layers.