This report evaluates the importance of lipids as a source of substrat
es for metabolism of heterotrophic bacteria based on measurements of u
ptake of [H-3]palmitic acid and lipase activity in lakes of differing
degrees of eutrophication. The highest rates of utilization of lipids
by bacteria (i.e. specific and actual rates of uptake of [H-3]palmitic
acid and specific lipase activity) were observed in pelagic water of
mesotrophic lake where the highest concentration and the shortest turn
over time of natural pool of palmitic acid was found. Lipids in highly
eutrophicated lakes were less important for metabolism of aquatic bac
terial communities. Lipid content in lake water depended on species co
mposition of plankton in the studied lakes.