Contact
Viggó Marteinsson
Research Group Leader
viggo@matis.is
Microbial density in Icelandic waters
The diversity of microorganisms in the ocean around Iceland is largely unknown, but little or no research has been done to date. This report describes the first comparative results from a study on the microbial diversity of the ocean around the country. Sea samples around the country were collected in the spring of 2010 and 2011. The density of microorganisms in these samples has now been examined by microbial flow analysis and comparisons made by depth, location and between years. The results show that the diversity varies from region to region. The sea to the south of the country generally shows 40-60% more microbial density than the sea to the north of the country. Variability is also seen in the growth of algae or algae flowers. The results are the basis for further research into the microbial composition and diversity of the ocean around the country - which is already underway within the project.
The diversity of microorganisms in the ocean around Iceland is largely unknown and little or no research has been conducted to date. This report describes the first comparative results of microbial diversity in the sea around the country. Sea ‐ samples around the country were collected in the spring of 2010 and 2011. The density of microorganisms in these samples was studied by flow cytometry and comparisons made by the depth, location and year. The results show that diversity varies by region. The sea south of the country has approximately 40‐60% higher microbial density than the sea north of the country. Variation is also seen in relation to the growth of algae or algal blooms. These results are the basis for further research on the microbial composition and diversity of the sea around the country - already underway within project.
Report closed until 01.01.2014 / Report closed until 01.01.2014