DECOMPOSITION AND REGENERATION OF NITROGENOUS ORGANIC MATTER IN SEA WATER

Abstract

The decomposition cycle went on normally in surface water and water from 800 m. depth, but in water of 1200 m. depth it stopped at the ammonia stage. Expts. to test the influence of sterilization of the water on the N cycle gave only inconclusive results. The speed of the whole cycle was more than doubled by an. increase of 6[degree] or 8[degree] in temp. Growth of diatoms was possible at any stage in the cycle of decomposition.