Distribution of Heterotrophic Bacteria in the Waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

Characteristics of the horizontal and vertical distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in the waters of the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico and the western part of the Caribbean Sea were obtained for the first time by investigations conducted during September — December 1964 on the research ship «Academician A. Kovalevsky». It is established, that the greatest number of bacteria is found in zones of internal water uplift (Bay of Campeche, Shelf of Honduras) and the investigated part of the Caribbean Sea is richer than the Gulf of Mexico; moreover, the layer of maximum bacteria content in the Gulf of Mexico is disposed higher than in the Caribbean Sea (25—50 m to 100—150 m)