study of the indigenous bacteria of farm ponds

Water samples from ponds in West Virginia and Pennsylvania were examined for pigmented and non-pigmented bacteria. Bacterial numbers ranged from 43,500 to 209,750 per milliliter of water. The lowest numbers were obtained from samples collected when ice covered the ponds. The highest number was obtained from a pond receiving runoff from a pastured area. Bacterial isolates from pond water were identified to genus and species. Methodology was developed so that genera of chromogenic bacteria could be separated easily.