CARBON FLUXES IN THE MICROBIAL LOOP - COMMENTS

The heterotrophic bacterial community of oceanic aggregates which medi ates particle solubilization, displays features (low carbon demand and low turnover) that are difficult to reconcile with the observed high enzyme activities and cell numbers. Hypotheses are proposed to explain this discrepancy. Furthermore, production of both free and attached b acteria may have been underestimated by neglecting the ultramicrobacte ria (UMB). Production of UMB may represent up to 28% of the total bact erial production.