Characterization of microbial populations of the borden aquifer

The indigenous microbial population of the Borden aquifer (Canada Forces Base Borden, Ontario, Canada) is largely aerobic and heterotrophic in nature, although a potential capacity for anaerobic nitrate reduction is present. The population possesses oligotrophic and psychrotrophic components. Chemolithotrophic and sulfate‐reducing organisms are rare. The latter, at least, are present although not detected with the MPN procedure used in this study. The recoverable, viable population is normally rather sparse (