endure for several hundreds or even some thousands of years - particularly important in
light of the old age of these bodies of water.
The presented few examples of marine microbiological research in the past 100 years
demonstrate that they progressed quite dissimilarly with respect to different points of
question. The basis of understanding concerning the distribution of bacteria in the sea
and the importance of bacteria in recycling processes were already determined in the
earliest phase of studies until 1914. Other problems such as H 2 S formation in the sea were
first explainable after decades of contradictory opinion or, as is the case for the role of
barophilic bacteria, remain unresolved even today.
Research projects are always restricted by methodological demands, which are often
higher for investigation in the marine system than on land or in freshwater systems.
Therefore, even though the methods are often available, in some cases investigative
endeavors are not attempted because technological application are too immense and
costly.
Frequently there exists a mutual influence between problems and methodology. For
example, questions demand means to solutions, which are, especially initially, often
extremely cumbersome in application. In such cases research is not seldom overtaxed,
and time consuming experiments must be done with inadaquate materials, thus providing
contradictory results. Chance also occasionally plays a vital role.
New methods stimulate new questions as well. Thus, tracer techniques employing 14C
and 3H-labelled nutrients instigated the researching of microbial activity and allowed the
measurement of heterotrophic potential and substrate uptake by way of autoradiography
(Wright and Hobbie 1966, Gocke 1977, Hoppe 1977). The realization of studies on the
bacterial role in energy flux within the food chain and, moreover, within marine ecosystems was, therewith, made possible.
What lessons for the future can be learned from this 100-year history of marine microbiology ? Some costly detours encountered in past research projects would certainly have
been avoided had there been a greater exchange of experiences as well as more joint
efforts within but also across the bounds of this field of study. A more intensive interdisciplinary approach by aquatic microbiologists and chemists is especially important for
meeting the challenge of future research. Hence, the breakdown of complex organic
compounds in aquatic systems plays an even greater role, particularly in light of contemporary environmental concerns.
On the other hand, microbiologists should remain conscious of the fact that their
investigations are dealing with organisms. The total biochemical output of a biotop’s
microflora is assessable, for example, in a variety of ways with the aid of modern methods
and without analysis of the microbial population. However, the alterations within a
population associated with the relevant processes as well as the succession of specific
metabolic groups are indispensible for the understanding of these microbiological
activities.
Hence, an occasional look back at the historical development of aquatic microbiology
can stimulate new works and undautably help to avoid methodological error. Thus, it can
be valuable tool for future research.
20
light of the old age of these bodies of water.
The presented few examples of marine microbiological research in the past 100 years
demonstrate that they progressed quite dissimilarly with respect to different points of
question. The basis of understanding concerning the distribution of bacteria in the sea
and the importance of bacteria in recycling processes were already determined in the
earliest phase of studies until 1914. Other problems such as H 2 S formation in the sea were
first explainable after decades of contradictory opinion or, as is the case for the role of
barophilic bacteria, remain unresolved even today.
Research projects are always restricted by methodological demands, which are often
higher for investigation in the marine system than on land or in freshwater systems.
Therefore, even though the methods are often available, in some cases investigative
endeavors are not attempted because technological application are too immense and
costly.
Frequently there exists a mutual influence between problems and methodology. For
example, questions demand means to solutions, which are, especially initially, often
extremely cumbersome in application. In such cases research is not seldom overtaxed,
and time consuming experiments must be done with inadaquate materials, thus providing
contradictory results. Chance also occasionally plays a vital role.
New methods stimulate new questions as well. Thus, tracer techniques employing 14C
and 3H-labelled nutrients instigated the researching of microbial activity and allowed the
measurement of heterotrophic potential and substrate uptake by way of autoradiography
(Wright and Hobbie 1966, Gocke 1977, Hoppe 1977). The realization of studies on the
bacterial role in energy flux within the food chain and, moreover, within marine ecosystems was, therewith, made possible.
What lessons for the future can be learned from this 100-year history of marine microbiology ? Some costly detours encountered in past research projects would certainly have
been avoided had there been a greater exchange of experiences as well as more joint
efforts within but also across the bounds of this field of study. A more intensive interdisciplinary approach by aquatic microbiologists and chemists is especially important for
meeting the challenge of future research. Hence, the breakdown of complex organic
compounds in aquatic systems plays an even greater role, particularly in light of contemporary environmental concerns.
On the other hand, microbiologists should remain conscious of the fact that their
investigations are dealing with organisms. The total biochemical output of a biotop’s
microflora is assessable, for example, in a variety of ways with the aid of modern methods
and without analysis of the microbial population. However, the alterations within a
population associated with the relevant processes as well as the succession of specific
metabolic groups are indispensible for the understanding of these microbiological
activities.
Hence, an occasional look back at the historical development of aquatic microbiology
can stimulate new works and undautably help to avoid methodological error. Thus, it can
be valuable tool for future research.
20