Research on Symbiotic Bacteria in Capitella sp.1

Capitella sp. I是一种底栖生物，其正常栖息地为沿海污染沉积物。以前的观察表明，这种生物的存在可能会防止环境的进一步恶化。实际的机理被认为是从上层水柱引入含氧海水，硫化物被氧化成硫或硫酸盐。细菌可能作为毛细藻的营养源和/或环境中有机污染物的降解剂发挥重要作用。本次调查的目的是澄清这些贡献。在本研究过程中，我们发展了一种新的方法，即用透明容器和固体琼脂直接培养和观察Capitella sp. I的行为。此外，我们使用了化学品（INT），这使得可以可视化和定量细菌呼吸活性。结果表明，Capitella sp. I通过在沉积物上打孔，引入含氧海水，刺激细菌的活性。由于异养细菌的活性被认为与有机物的降解相耦合，因此认为Capitella sp. I的存在和行为确实在防止有机物降解方面起着重要作用。这一新技术将适用于各种底栖生物与细菌相互作用的研究。

Capitella sp. I is a bcnthic organism of which normal habitat is coastal polluted sediments. Previous observations clarified that presence of this organism may prevent from further deterioration of the environments. The actual mechanism was assumed to be introduction of oxic seawater from upper water column and oxidation of sulfide to sulfur or sulfate. Bacteria may play an important role as nutritional source for Capitella sp. I and/or degrader of organic pollutants in the environments. The purpose of this investigation was to clarify these contributions. During the course of this study, we developed a new method to culture and observe the behavior of Capitella sp. I directly, by using transparent containcr and solidified agar. In addition, we used the chemical (I NT) which made it possible to visualize and quantity the bacterial respiratory activity. The result showed that Capitella sp. I stimulates the activity of bacteria by making holes in the sediment and introducing oxic seawater. As heterotrophic bacterial activity is assumed to couple to degradation of organic matter, it was conchided that presence and behavior of Capitella sp. I does play important roles to prevent from deterioration. This new technique will be applicable for various research on the interact on between benthic organisms and bacteria.