Characteristics of bacteria distribution and gas regime in the waters of the Baltic Sea in the winter period

Abundance. distribution and activity of bacterioplankton in the Baltic Sea were investigated during the winter period in association with O-2 and CH4 content in the water. Total bacteria abundance constituted 0.12-1.91 x x 10 (6) cell/ml, CH4 concentration was 0.1-9.2 mkl/l, biochemical O-2, consumpt ion was 5-180 mg/l per day, CH4 oxidation was 0.005-2.15 mkl/l per day. Met hane oxidation in microaerobic water layers consumed up to 10-25% of the to tal O-2 consumption.