Chapter 11, Problem 1SA

What kind of bacteria might compose the subsurface scum of polluted ponds?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The kind of bacteria that might be present on the subsurface scum of polluted ponds.

Introductions:

Cyanobacteria or the blue-green algaeare a group of bacteria, which are regarded as oxygenic phototrophs. This is so because these bacteria can obtain their energy through photosynthesis and are also produce oxygen. These bacteria are mostly aquatic organisms and commonly found in stagnant water bodies like ponds, polluted, and sewage water.

Explanation of Solution

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, microscopic, unicellular, and greatly appears in filamentous forms. Each filament (trichome) represents a colony of a single cell, which is covered with a slimy sheath. These bacteria can rapidly grow over the surface of stagnant or polluted water bodies and cover the surface of it and are known as blooms. These cyanobacterial blooms are buoyant and float on the water surface. These may appear as scum (green in color) in hot summers as the cells of the cyanobacteria die and start to decay, producing a very awful smell.

Conclusion

Therefore, cyanobacteria are the bacteria, which is found as the scum over the surfaces of the polluted water.