Number of bacterial cells estimated to be in the oceans (approximately three times the number of archaeal cells)

Value 3.1E+28 Unitless
Organism bacteria
Reference Karner MB, DeLong EF, Karl DM. Archaeal dominance in the mesopelagic zone of the Pacific Ocean. Nature. 2001 Jan 25 409(6819):507-10. p.509 left column bottom sentencePubMed ID11206545
Method Data from monthly sampling (quantitative microscopic surveys using single-cell, fluorescent in situ hybridization with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes) conducted throughout the water column (surface to 4,750 m) combined with continental shelf data
Comments See BNID 106262
Entered by Uri M
ID 106263