Magnetotactic bacteria are widely distributed in sediments in the U.K.

Abstract Magnetotactic bacteria, in particular 2 morphological forms of magnetococci, are of common occurrence at the sediment/water interface of ponds, lakes and estuaries in the U.K. Photomicrography has demonstrated that the organisms have a highly ordered, helical flight path when exposed to the magnetic field of a bar magnet. In the earth's magnetic field, the helical characteristic of the flight path was evident, but the organisms failed to move in a straight path.