QUANTITATIVE ECOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS OF SYOWA STATION IN ANTARCTICA AND ISOLATION OF PSYCHROPHILES

Abstract

Microbiological experiments were carried out to obtain information about quantitative ecology of microorganisms around Syowa station in Antarctica throughout the year and to isolate psychrophiles. Temperature determines whether microorganisms can grow or not. It seemed, however, that quantity of nutritional materials as well as temperature determines the general distribution and the seasonal change of microorganisms [in soil and water]. No clear result concerning microorganisms in air could be obtained. Many psychrophiles, especially 26 obligate psychrophiles which had maximum growth temperatures around 20.degree. C, were isolated.