Enhanced Viral Activity in the Surface Microlayer of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans
Type
ArticleAuthors
Vaqué, Dolors
Boras, Julia A.

Arrieta, J M

Agusti, Susana

Duarte, Carlos M.

Montserrat Sala, Maria

KAUST Department
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) DivisionMarine Science Program
Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)
Date
2021-02-04Submitted Date
2021-01-04Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/667332
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The ocean surface microlayer (SML), with physicochemical characteristics different from those of subsurface waters (SSW), results in dense and active viral and microbial communities that may favor virus–host interactions. Conversely, wind speed and/or UV radiation could adversely affect virus infection. Furthermore, in polar regions, organic and inorganic nutrient inputs from melting ice may increase microbial activity in the SML. Since the role of viruses in the microbial food web of the SML is poorly understood in polar oceans, we aimed to study the impact of viruses on prokaryotic communities in the SML and in the SSW in Arctic and Antarctic waters. We hypothesized that a higher viral activity in the SML than in the SSW in both polar systems would be observed. We measured viral and prokaryote abundances, virus-mediated mortality on prokaryotes, heterotrophic and phototrophic nanoflagellate abundance, and environmental factors. In both polar zones, we found small differences in environmental factors between the SML and the SSW. In contrast, despite the adverse effect of wind, viral and prokaryote abundances and virus-mediated mortality on prokaryotes were higher in the SML than in the SSW. As a consequence, the higher carbon flux released by lysed cells in the SML than in the SSW would increase the pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and be rapidly used by other prokaryotes to grow (the viral shunt). Thus, our results suggest that viral activity greatly contributes to the functioning of the microbial food web in the SML, which could influence the biogeochemical cycles of the water column.Citation
Vaqué, D., Boras, J. A., Arrieta, J. M., Agustí, S., Duarte, C. M., & Sala, M. M. (2021). Enhanced Viral Activity in the Surface Microlayer of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. Microorganisms, 9(2), 317. doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020317Sponsors
We are very grateful to the staff of Unitat de Tecnologia Marina (UTM-CSIC) and the crew of the R/V BIO-Hespérides for making possible the development of the field study, for their hospitality, and their help with the logistics. We also thank all our colleagues during both cruises for collaborating in sampling and in technical issues, as well as in creating a good atmosphere.This research was part of the ATOS project, funded as part of the Spanish contribution to the International Polar Year (IPY) by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (POL200600550/CTM). J.A.B.’s work was supported by a PhD fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (FPU grant). This research is part of POLARCSIC activities.
Publisher
MDPI AGJournal
MicroorganismsPubMed ID
33557117Additional Links
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/2/317ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/microorganisms9020317
Scopus Count
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
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