Influence of temperature on the survival of microorganisms present in Kudankulam marine environment

The distribution of bacterial strains in the sea water samples collected in the Kudankulam marine environment at a distance of 333.3 m from the shore line was enumerated and the changes in the reproduction rate at different temperature exposure (33 degC and 38 degC) was assessed in the laboratory conditions. The results indicated that the site was dominated by Gram negative microorganisms especially the genus Pseudomonas. The percentage distribution of Pseudomonas species was recorded as 37.67. At 28 degC the log phase was attained on the 24th hour and the stationary phase was maintained till the 72 hour exposure and declined thereafter. At 33 degC the log phase was achieved in 24 hours and declined phase started from the 48 hour with gradual reduction in cfu/ml. At 96 hour the bacterial population showed the reduction which is twice more than the reduction level at 28 degC. Similar pattern was observed at 38 degC, but here the generation time was faster. (author)