Chapter X 



149 



Organic Matter 



By allowing the oxidation of organic matter to proceed for 15 to 30 

 days, Waksman and Hotciikiss (1937) found that i.o mgm. of organic 

 matter in bottoms close to land consumed about o.i ml. of oxygen under 

 the most favorable conditions. The organic matter in bottom deposits was 

 oxidized to a lesser extent at greater depths than in shallower bottoms 

 nearer to land. Most of these observations were confirmed and extended 

 by Anderson (1940). 



The activities of bacteria in producing and transforming humus in 

 fresh-water lakes are outlined by Waksman (1941a). 



