Growth Rates of Microorganisms in a Periphyton Community

Abstract

The growth rates of microorganisms were determined for a periphyton community grown on artificial substrata submerged in the midstream of the Tamagawa River. The growth rates were measured seasonally for bacteria, algae, the heterotrophic periphyton community and the whole periphyton community. The doubling times were as follows : bacteria, 3-10 hours; sessile algae, 12-28 hours; heterotrophic periphyton community, 15-104 hours; and periphyton community, 12-59 hours. The growth rates showed a good correlation with water temperature, and the Q10 values were as follows : bacteria, 1.9; sessile algae, 1.6; heterotrophic periphyton community, 2.5; and periphyton community, 2.2. © 1979, The Japanese Society of Limnology. All rights reserved.