Abstract
The distribution of microaerophilic bacteria in estuarine environments of Tokyo Bay was investigated. Viable counts of microaerophiles were 1-2 orders less than aerobes/facultative anaerobes in both water and sediment samples in general. The microaerophiles were counted higher than obligate anaerobes in water samples but they were comparable to the obligate anaerobes in sediment samples. The population of microaerophiles in the water and sediment did not fluctuate seasonally and was not strongly influenced by dissolved oxygen, water temperature, chlorinity and COD. A total of 312 microaerophilic strains isolated from the water and sediment were composed of Gram-negative rods (82%) and Gram-positive rods (18%).
