Determinations of microbial loads associated with microscopic-size particles of Kennedy Space Center soil.

Plate counts for six fractions, of micrometer-size, of Kennedy Space Center soil provided estimates of aerobic, mesophilic, heterotrophic, microbial loads on single soil particles. Analyses included unheated particles, particles subjected to wet heat at 80 degrees C for 20 min, and particles subjected to dry heat at 110 degrees C for 1 hr. Unheated particles yielded mean counts ranging from 6 colonies per particle for the smallest (44-53 micrometers) soil fraction to approximately 55 colonies per particle for the largest size (105-125 micrometers) soil fraction tested. Mean counts for heat-resistant forms ranged from 2 colonies per particle for the smaller particles to 12-15 colonies for the largest particles analyzed.