Preliminary Studies on Chitin Decomposition in Lake Erie Sediments

Abstract

Enrichment studies, biproduct analyses, and slides coated with chitin were employed to examine chitin decomposition in Lake Erie sediments and the watersediment interface. Enumeration studies of sediment indicated the presence of approximately 106 ml1 heterotrophic bacteria of which approximately 10% (105 ml1) displayed chitinolytic ability. Chitin-coated slides buried in a mud jar gave preliminary evidence of a succession of microorganisms active in chitin degradation in both the aerobic and anaerobic zones of the sediment column. Enrichment studies of frozen core sections showed the potential activity of microorganisms in the sediments to degrade chitin with the release of NH3. Tests for release of the subunit of chitin, N-acetylglucosamine, from enriched sediments were not successful.