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Occurrence And Distribution Of Diverse Populations Of Magnetic Protists In A Chemically Stratified Coastal Salt Pond, Dennis A. Bazylinski, David R. Schlezinger, Brian H. Howes, Richard B. Frankel, Slava S. Epstein

Physics

Chemical stratification occurs in the water columns and sediments of many aquatic habitats resulting in vertical chemical and redox gradients. Various types of microorganisms are often associated with specific depths and chemical parameters in these situations. For example, magnetite-producing magnetotactic bacteria are known to form horizontal “plates” of cells at the oxic/anoxic transition zone (OATZ) of such environments. Here, we report the presence of populations of diverse magnetic protists in a seasonally chemically stratified, coastal salt pond. The protistan types included several biflagellates, a dinoflagellate, and a ciliate that were each associated with specific depths and thus, specific chemical, microbiological …