CARATTERIZZAZIONE DEI TASSI ENZIMATICI MICROBICI IN SITI COSTIERI CALABRESI

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBIAL ENZYMATIC RATES IN COASTAL CALABRIAN MARINE SITES

Abstract

This study focuses on the organic matter decomposition mediated by microbial communities in three coastal Tyrrhenian sites, where this process  was studied during two consecutive years (autumn and summer), to evaluate in water, sediment and sand matrices the role of microbial activities in recycling carbon and phosphorus organic polymers. Intense decomposition processes were observed during summer, especially in the sand; conversely, no significant spatial trends were detected. The measured activity rates suggest the presence of an active microbial community involved in biogeochemical fluxes and an ecosystem characterized by good functionality and an optimal ecological status.