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Dilute formaldehyde was the most suitable treatment to inhibit sediment bacteria, since bacterial activity remained low during long-term incubations and the chemical changes in the sediment were minimal. The inhibiting effects of HgCl(2), autoclaving, and gamma radiation were diminished during longer incubations; these treatments also caused increases in dissolved nutrients.
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Tuominen et al. (1994) studied this question.
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