Hydrobiological Journal

ISSN for PRINT: 0018-8166

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2003, Volume39

Issue 4

120 pages

DOI: 10.1615/HydrobJ.v39.i4

Issue price - $369.00

A. A. Koval'chuk
Scientific Research Laboratory of Conservation of Natural Ecosystems, Uzhgorod State University, Uzhgorod, Ukraine

The role of benthic Protozoa and microinvertebrates in the process of organic matter decomposition was studied. The total decomposition was determined in terms of the balance of carbonic acid, which made it possible to take into account an anaerobic component, it has been found that free-living Ciliata have a dominant role in the processes of organic matter transformation. Their contribution to the total mineralization of organic matter on the average accounted for about 3%, whereas their contribution to the consumption of the total primary production of phytomicrobenthos was 4-19%. Copepoda and Rotatoria were also of considerable importance in the processes of organic matter transformation. In the open shallow-water zone, the role of Protozoa and microinvertebrates in the process of organic matter mineralization was higher than that registered in the shallow-water zone of the closed type.

DOI: 10.1615/HydrobJ.v39.i4.30 Download article, 19 pages

Article price - $45.00

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