1. ¹PG Department of Zoology, Raja NL Khan Women's College, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India
2. ²Department of Chemistry, Krishnagar Women's College, University of Kalyani, Krishnagar, West Bengal, India
3. ³Department of Microbiology, Raja NL Khan Women's College, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India

Correspondence: H Guhathakurta, PG Department of Zoology, Raja NL Khan Women's College, Gope Palace, Midnapore, West Bengal 721102, India. E-mail: rahi7053@gmail.com

Received 9 April 2007; Revised 17 June 2007; Accepted 18 June 2007; Published online 13 September 2007.

Abstract

In aquatic systems, recycling of phosphorus (P) is strongly influenced by microbial metabolic responses. This study was designed to look at the generation of P (as soluble-reactive phosphate (SRP)) from organic P-enriched sediments by benthic sulfur chemolithoautotrophs. The study revealed that microbial density was greater in organic P-enriched sediments when compared to sediments without added organic P and the presence of organic P significantly influenced mobilization of SRP from sediment. Generation of SRP by sediment microbes was cumulative, dependent on time. The results indicated dissolved sulfide (S^2-) to be necessary for initiation of the metabolism-related mobilization of P: there was no statistically significant effect of variations in ambient concentrations of sulfide (S^2-). The results elucidate possible outcomes of addition of organic P in aquatic ecosystems.