Formation of dimethyloligosulfides in Lake Kinneret: Biogenic formation ofinorganic oligosulfide intermediates under oxic conditions

The mechanism of formation of dimethyloligosulfides in Lake Kinneret was in vestigated by field a nd laboratory studies. The process was simulated unde r laboratory conditions using obligate aerobic and facultative bacteria tha t were isolated from Lake Kinneret and fed with different types of organo-s ulfur nutrients. The lysis products of Peridinium gatunense-a dinoflagellat e that dominates the phytoplankton population in Lake Kinneret during the w inter-spring season-are the primary source of dimethyloligosulfides. Bacter ial assimilation of the aged alga or algae lysis products yields inorganic oligosulfides, which are then methylated to form the dimethyloligosulfides. All the steps of this process are carried out under oxic conditions.