Hi Folks,
There has been a good deal of discussion recently about 'dissolved organics', aka DOC/DOM. But, if it weren't for heterotrophic bacteria, DOC/DOM would continue to accumulate. This is where heterotrophic bacteria (and other organisms) step in. It is heterotrophs that mineralize organic compounds and, in so doing, convert organic compounds to inorganic compounds. The latter can then be taken up by plants, for example. For more information, take a look at the following:
And, here's another source of information - complete with pretty pictures.
JPC
P.S. Please don't hesitate to correct me if you spot any errors in the above.
There has been a good deal of discussion recently about 'dissolved organics', aka DOC/DOM. But, if it weren't for heterotrophic bacteria, DOC/DOM would continue to accumulate. This is where heterotrophic bacteria (and other organisms) step in. It is heterotrophs that mineralize organic compounds and, in so doing, convert organic compounds to inorganic compounds. The latter can then be taken up by plants, for example. For more information, take a look at the following:
And, here's another source of information - complete with pretty pictures.
Heterotroph - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
JPC
P.S. Please don't hesitate to correct me if you spot any errors in the above.