THE SEASONAL CYCLE OF MARINE BACTERIA IN A WEST COAST KELP-BED

Summary

Bacterial density and biomass in the water column have been investigated on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula over an 18-month period. The technique of direct microscopic observation on stained filters is described. Bacterial density figures range from 76 000 cells/ml to 274 000 cells/m1 with an average of 136 000 cells/ml. A seasonal cycle was found and hypotheses are suggested to explain it.