This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hagen, C. A. Articles by Cephus, M. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hagen, C. A. Articles by Cephus, M. L. Agricola Articles by Hagen, C. A. Articles by Cephus, M. L.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1968 June; 16(6): 932-934
Copyright © 1968 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Use of the Scanning Electron Microscope for Viewing Bacteria in Soil

Life Sciences Research, IIT Research Institute, Technology Center, Chicago, Illinois 60616

ABSTRACT

Scanning electron microscopy was used for viewing Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus in three different soils. Both organisms were detected in the test soils at an approximate concentration of 10⁷ cells per gram of soil; theoretically, the minimal number of microorganisms required for detection with the scanning electron microscope technique was between 10⁷ and 10¹⁰ cells per gram of soil. Because the concentration of cells was critical, the use of scanning electron microscopy as an extraterrestrial life detection instrument would be limited with soils containing more than 10⁷ bacteria per gram of soil.