Changes in Microbial Communities, Including both Uncultured and Culturable Bacteria, with Mid-Ocean Ballast-Water Exchange during a Voyage from Japan to Australia
Figure 3
Densities of culturable bacteria in ballast water and natural seawater samples.
Bacterial heterotrophic plate counts are classified as from seawater-based medium (HPCsw), freshwater-based medium (HPCfw), coliforms (Col), or members of the cholera group (CG). Microbes were counted in samples of ambient seawater (SW) and in ballast-water surface (BWS) and bottom (BWB) samples. Mid-ocean ballast-water exchange occurred on day 5 (Exchange). Missing symbols indicate days when no members of the coliform or cholera groups were detected. CFU, colony-forming unit.