Decomposition of organic matter in sea water by bacteria

The question has been raised by Krogh (1934a, b) and other investi gators, whether or not the organic matter in sea water can be utilized by bacteria and can be broken down with the liberation of the con stituent elements in mineralized forms. It has been previously re ported (Waksman and Carey, 1935a and b) that the organic matter in sea water is not in a resistant state, but can be readily attacked by the bacteria found in natural water, when this water is placed under favorable conditions. These investigations have further brought out the fact that this organic matter is sufficient to support an active bacterial population. The rapidity of decomposition of the organic matter by bacteria is most conveniently determined by the rate of oxygen consumption in the water and by the liberation of the nitrogen in an available form; the latter process can best be measured in an indirect manner, namely by the decomposition of a non-nitrogenous organic substance, such as glucose, added to the water, since th