Deep, subsurface microflora after excavation respiration and biomass and its potential role in degradation of fossil organic matter.

Three types of Miocene claystones (amorphous, lamellar, and transitional) were aseptically sampled from depths of 30 m and 150 m below the soil surface. Respiration of these sediments was measured under conditions that prevented inoculation by other microorganisms not indigenous to the claystones in situ. Microbial respiration was higher in lamellar than amorphous claystones and was not affected by sampling depth. During cultivation, microbial biomass (as indicated by PLFA) significantly increased. Microbial biomass after cultivation was significantly higher in sediments from 30 m than from 150 m depth. Both microbial respiration and biomass increased after glucose addition.