TY - JOUR N2 - Measurements were made of sediment characteristics, benthic microbial activity and optimum temperature for sulfate reduction at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica . There was little evidence to support any seasonal variation in oxygen penetration of surface sediments. Oxygen penetrated to only 1.5 to 3 mm throughout the year, despite bioturbation from a dense amphipod population. The distribution of acid volatile sulfides increased with depth below 1 cm and above this, surface sediments were lighter in colour and contained fewer sulfides. The rates of sulfate reduction increased during winter under sea-ice cover, and remained high after ice break up. Seasonal water temperature was relatively constant between –1.8 and 0.5°C. Optimum temperature for anaerobic sediment respiration was investigated using different substrates and was found to be in the range 17–27°C, suggesting that sulfate reducing bacteria are psychrotolerant as they were inhibited by low temperatures. L1 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/110636/PDF-MASTER/ppr26-215.pdf L2 - http://journals.pan.pl/Content/110636 PY - 2005 IS - No 3 EP - 215–230 KW - Antarctica KW - Signy Island KW - coastal sediments KW - oxygen penetration KW - sulfides KW - temperature KW - sulfate reduction A1 - Walker, Tony R. PB - Polish Academy of Sciences PB - Committee on Polar Research VL - vol. 26 DA - 2005 T1 - Distribution of oxygen, sulfides and optimum temperature for sulfate reduction in Antarctic marine sediments SP - 215–230 UR - http://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/110636 T2 - Polish Polar Research ER -