Occurrence and distribution of heterotrophic bacteria of Madras coast (Bay of Bengal)

Abstract

Occurrence of heterotrophic becteria in water and sediment samples collected from the Madras coast was studied. Of the bacterial isolates, 85% were gram negative short rods, 9% were coccal forms, 21% were chromogenic and only 7% were sporogenous. Gram negative bacteria were highly pleomorphic. Genus Vibrio (35%) was dominant followed by Alcaligenes (26%). Bacillus, Flavobacterium-Cytophaga group, Micrococcus, Photobacterium, Pseudomonas and members of Enterobacteriaceae were present. Of the bacterial isolates, 89% were limnotolerant. Heterotrophic bacterial population exhibited limited fluctuation throughout the seasons in both water and sediments. Micro and macro elements present in the sediments did not influence the bacterial population of the Bay.