This study compared the effects of sea water on Vibrio cholerae and six other Vibrio spp. Survival in seawater microcosms as well as uptake of a carbonated substrate in marine or non-marine conditions were investigated. Except for V. vulnificus becoming non-culturable, all the other selected species survived in sea water for at least 15 days at 20 degrees C. Depending on the species tested, the substrate was better transported in a high salt medium (V. cholerae, V. fluvialis and V. metschnikovii), than in a low salt medium (V. fluvialis, V. furnissii, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus). In terms of the response of the species to marine conditions, no correlation was found between survival in sea water and substrate uptake.