Deep-sea bacteria: isolation in the absence of decompression.

Sampling and pure culture isolation of deep-sea bacteria without loss of in situ pressure is required in order to determine the viability of decompressionsensitive strains. This was achieved by using a pressure-retaining sterilizable seawater sampling system in connection with a prepressurized hyperbaric isolation chamber. Rates of growth and substrate uptake of the majority of isolates showed highly barotolerant characteristics, while the remainder (4 out of 15) exhibited barophilic characteristics.