title: Measurement of biological activity in materially closed microbial ecosystems.
abstract: Gas phase oxygen concentrations of materially closed, energetically open miniature microbial ecosystems were measured periodically. Our results indicate: (i) closed systems remain biologically active for at least 9 years, (ii) Po2 values might serve as an indicator of stability, (iii) each closed ecosystem seems to seek its own unique final Po2 state, and (iv) ecosystem response to experimentally depleted Po2 suggests the presence of positive feedback control.
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D002980:Climate; D007700:Kinetics; D008834:Microclimate; D010100:Oxygen; D010313:Partial Pressure
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen