Bacterioplankton growth rate is an indicator of the decomposition of organic matter and thereby trophic status of the Sea. The bacterioplankton metabolism accounts for about half of the mineralization of organic matter and thereby pelagic oxygen consumption.
The bacterioplankton growth rate in deep waters indicates good trophic status in the off-shore Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea. Deep water growth rates were 67 % higher than at corresponding depths in the Atlantic Ocean, lacking excess enrichment. The decline that has earlier been reported has now ceased. During the last few years the growth rates has increased some and there is now no significant trends in any of the studied basins.