[The identification of microorganisms from groundwater and characterization of their physiologic activities].

The microbiological method presented in this contribution allows the following investigations: --Identification of aerobic, heterotrophic environmentally-related organisms. --Investigation of different physiological activities of the test bacteria (e.g., degradation of different organic carbonaceous compounds, formation of extracellular enzymes). --Characterization of biological communities and their diversity. --Estimation of activities in environmental samples and mixed cultures. --Evaluation of a micro-site quality, e.g., reductions in the numbers of species or in a specific activity due to the effects of toxic substances. --Monitoring of the microbial community and its activities during biorestoration processes.