A comparison of methods for the quantification of bacterial sulfate reduction in coastal marine sediments

Abstract

Abstract A radiotracer technique for measuring in situ rates of sulfate reduction in marine sediments is described. Microliter portions of labeled‐sulfate solution are injected into undisturbed sediment cores, and the amount of labeled sulfide produced is analyzed. This tracer method is experimentally compared with a method that mixes label into the sediment. Controls and methodological problems of both methods are discussed.