A Microscopical Investigation of the Bacterial Degradation of Wood Pulp in a Simulated Marine Environment

Abstract

SUMMARY: Bleached wood pulp, derived from a mixture of Gymnosperm species, was degraded by bacteria in a laboratory model of a marine sediment. Zones of cellulolysis observed in the secondary cell walls of the pulp appeared to be due to bacterial activity. Although the bacteria were not in direct contact with the substrate, a fibrillar material associated with the bacterial cell envelope was observed by electron microscopy. Bacteria observed in the lumena of pulp cells appeared to be inactive in substrate degradation.