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BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

At three Baltic-Sea stations, short-term variations were monitored of a number of microbiological and chemical parameters. At two of these stations (Kampinge, Sweden; south-eastern Baltic Sea) uniform, individual water bodies were sampled at short intervals. Here, distinct patterns or rhythms could be demonstrated in the variation of microbiological and chemical parameters, obviously reflecting different ecological situations. In contrast, at the third station in the Kiel Fjord, no indication could be found of a distinct common denominator for variations in microbiological and/or chemical parameters; possible patterns of fluctuations may have been masked by changing water bodies. The causes for the fluctuation patterns observed at the two stations remain unclear There is some indication that the material cycle in natural waters is governed by strong short-term fluctuations or even rhythms of microbiological and chemical parameters; these require further investigation.

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Abstract:This review covers aspects of soil science and soil biology of Antarctica with special focus on King George Island, South Shetlands, the martitime Antarctic. New approaches in soil descriptions and soil taxonomy show a great variety of soil types, related to different parent material, mainly volcanic origin, as well as on influences by soil biological processes. The spread of higher rooting plants attract microorganisms, nematodes and collemboles which in turn build new organic material and change the environment for further successors. Microbial communities are drivers with respect to metabolic and physiological properties indicating a great potential in a changing environment. The literature review also shows a lack of investi− gations on processes of carbon and nitrogen turnover, despite wide knowledge on its standing stock in different environments. Further, only few reports were found on the processes of humification. Only few data are available which can be regarded as long term monitorings, hence, such projects need to be established in order to follow ecological changes.