Microbial Ecology of Subtidal Sandy Sediments

Abstract

In marine subtidal sandy sediments, water column-derived organic matter is readily remineralized by heterotrophic benthic microorganisms. Little is known about these microbial communities. The aims of this thesis were, therefore, the identification of the microbial diversity and community structure, estimations of specific bacterial abundances and the analysis whether sediment permeability and tight coupling with the water column influences benthic communities. Combining the insights obtained in this thesis will allow for targeted studies on key clades to specifically identify cellular processes contributing to the high organic matter turnover known for sandy permeable surface sediments.