PREFACE 



X his Symposium on Marine Microbiology was the first attempt 

 to bring together the leading investigators in this field from all 

 parts of the world to exchange ideas, present research results, and 

 discuss problems of mutual concern. It is hoped that a result of 

 the Symposium and the publication of these reports will be in- 

 creased interest in this important field, and that communications 

 will be enhanced among marine microbiologists as well as investi- 

 gators in collateral sciences. 



It was by design that this meeting was held in conjunction 

 with the 61st annual meeting of the American Society of Micro- 

 biologists in April 1961. By doing so, an opportunity was afforded 

 for scientists, who did not have a primary interest in marine mi- 

 crobiology, to gain an understanding of its scope and importance. 

 Interest in this field was evidenced by the large number of micro- 

 biologists who came to the Symposium prior to the opening of 

 the ASM meetings. The success of the Symposium has led to the 

 suggestion that future international conferences on marine micro- 

 biology be held at three or four year intervals— the next may be 

 held in association with the Society for General Microbiology in 

 England in 1965. 



It is apparent from the scope of the papers, the discussion, 

 and interests of participants, tliat the field of marine microbiology 

 has grown tremendously in the last few years. The handful of 

 people working in the 1930's has expanded to a composite group 

 attempting to evaluate the role of microorganisms in many as- 

 pects of oceanography. It is also apparent that there are many 

 gaps in our knowledge of microbial actixities in the marine en- 

 vironment, and it is hoped that the Symposium lias provided the 

 personal interchange of ideas and the evaluation of small details 

 of current research which will prove valuable in improving the 



