Sea Surface Microlayer (SML) is a layer between 1 and 1000µm which is a unique environment. Due to the difficulty in sampling the region, the composition of the SML environment is poorly understood. In the present study, an innovative approach for sampling this region has been demonstrated and the same has been compared with already existing sampling techniques of SML. The sampling technique we followed was termed as “Modified Membrane Method” which proves to be an efficient sampling method by reducing the chances of contamination of microbes from adjacent layers. The isolated strains were subjected to biochemical and molecular sequencing studies. The biochemical tests showed most of the SML bacteria belonged to Bacillus sp and one belonged to Pseudomonas sp. The isolate from sub surface water was identified as Staphylococcus sp. The 16s rRNA sequencing confirmed the identity of the microbes. None of the SML isolate showed similarity with the subsurface sample.
Keywords: Sea surface microlayer, sampling technique, modified membrane method, molecular sequencing,.
Introduction:
The sea surface microlayer (SML) represents the boundary interface between the atmosphere and ocean, covering about 70% of the Earth’s surface. Although many aspects of the sea surface have been investigated earlier, the submillimeter thickness of the sea surface layer has received little attention. The SML can be summarized as being a small habitat with a total thickness between 1 and 1000 μm (Liss and Duce, 1997) but is operationally defined based on the sampling device used and the depth sampled (Agogue et al, 2004). The SML is a unique ecosystem, often referred to as the bacterioneuston. It is usually enriched with organic and inorganic nutrients (Maki,...
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