MICROBIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF CARBON-CYCLE IN SHALLOW-WATER HYDROTHERMS OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE PACIFIC-OCEAN

Rates of organic matter production and destruction were determined in shallow-water hydrotherms of Bay of Plenty (New Zealand), Matupy Harbo r of New Britain Island (Papua New Guinea), and the Kraternaya Bight ( Kurile Islands). The temperature in the hydrotherms ranged from 55 to 98 degrees C. Dark assimilation of CO2 ranged between 1.1 and 6.2 mu g C/kg/day. High rates of decomposition of cellulose, protein, and gluc ose with the formation of low-molecular-weight organic acids were obse rved. Most of the organic matter in hydrotherms is utilized for the re duction of sulfates. Organic matter delivered from the low-temperature zones is actively degraded in high-temperature hydrotherms.