C. Raghukumar et al., Microbial biomass and organic nutrients in the deep-sea sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin, MAR GEORES, 19(1), 2001, pp. 1-16
In order to assess the impact of deep-sea mining on the in situ benthic lif
e, we measured the microbial standing stock and concentration of organic nu
trients in the deep-sea sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin in the
Indian pioneer ar ea. Sediments were collected using box core and grab samp
les during September 1996. The total bacterial numbers ranged from 10(10)-1
0(11) cells per g(-1) dry weight sediment. There was a marginal decrease in
the number of bacteria from surface to 30 cm depth, though the subsurface
section registered a higher number than did the surface. The highest number
s were encountered at depths of 4-8 cm. The retrievable number of bacteria
were two orders less in comparison with the direct total counts of bacteria
. An almost homogeneous distribution of bacteria, total organic carbon, liv
ing biomass, and lipids throughout the depth of cares indicates active micr
obial and benthic processes in the deep sea sediments. On the other hand, a
uniform distribution of fetal counts of bacteria, carbohydrates, and total
organic carbon in all the cores indicates their. stable nature and suggest
s that they can serve as useful parameters for long-term monitoring of rite
ar ea after the benthic disturbance. Further studies on temporal variabili
ty in this legion would not only verify the observed nor ms of distribution
of these variables but would also help to understand restabilization proce
sses after the simulated benthic disturbance.