An Analysis of indirect impacts of radiation exposure on the predator-prey relationship between heterotroph protozoa and saprotroph bacteria in the microbial ecosystem

Abstract

Population dynamics of heterotroph protozoa as predator and saprotroph bacteria as prey in the aquatic microbial ecosystem were analyzed by a particle-based computer simulation. Mathematical model based on the Lotka-Bolterra equation was adopted for describing their predator-prey relationship. When radiation impact was introduced chronically on the growth of bacteria, the reduction of carrying capacity of protozoa might be induced as an indirect response of the two species ecosystem to the chronic radiation exposure.