Microbial ecology of anaerobic decomposition in Great Salt Lake

The chemical and microbial properties of anoxic sediments obtained from a Northern and Southern sampling site were compared. Similar chemical features were manifested at both sites. /sup 14/C-Tracer studies at near in situ temperatures demonstrated significant microbial mineralization for /sup 14/C-2-acetate, /sup 14/C-U-glucose, /sup 14/C-3-lactate, /sup 14/C-methylmercaptan and /sup 14/C-methyl-methionine. /sup 14/Co/sub 2/ was produced from microbial mineralization of all substrates; however, /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ was only detected from methylmercaptan and methionine (18% and 7% conversion to /sup 14/CH/sub 4/). Microscopic analysis of enumeration and enrichment cultures revealed a morphologically and metabolically diverse bacterial population that proliferated in either a low or high salt medium. The properties of an anaerobic rod that produced H/sub 2//CO/sub 2/, butyrate and acetate from a complex glucose-30% salts medium is described. Correlation of chemical and microbial characteristics in Great Salt Lake suggest unique features not common to anaerobic decomposition in marine or fresh water environments.