Spatial variability of prokaryotic and viral abundances in the Kermadec and Atacama Trench regions
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Standard
Spatial variability of prokaryotic and viral abundances in the Kermadec and Atacama Trench regions. / Schauberger, Clemens; Middelboe, Mathias; Larsen, Morten; Peoples, Logan M.; Bartlett, Douglas H.; Kirpekar, Finn; Rowden, Ashley A.; Wenzhöfer, Frank; Thamdrup, Bo; Glud, Ronnie N.
In: Limnology and Oceanography, Vol. 66, No. 6, 2021, p. 2095-2109.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial variability of prokaryotic and viral abundances in the Kermadec and Atacama Trench regions
AU - Schauberger, Clemens
AU - Middelboe, Mathias
AU - Larsen, Morten
AU - Peoples, Logan M.
AU - Bartlett, Douglas H.
AU - Kirpekar, Finn
AU - Rowden, Ashley A.
AU - Wenzhöfer, Frank
AU - Thamdrup, Bo
AU - Glud, Ronnie N.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Hadal trenches represent the deepest part of the ocean and are dynamic depocenters with intensified prokaryotic activity. Here, we explored the distribution and drivers of prokaryotic and viral abundance from the ocean surface and 40 cm into sediments in two hadal trench regions with contrasting surface productivity. In the water column, prokaryotic and viral abundance decreased with water depth before reaching a rather stable level at ~ 4000 m depth at both trench systems, while virus to prokaryote ratios were increasing with depth, presumably reflecting the declining availability of organic material. Prokaryotic and viral abundances in sediments were lower at the adjacent abyssal sites than at the hadal sites and declined exponentially with sediment depth, closely tracking the attenuation of total organic carbon (TOC) content. In contrast, hadal sediment exhibited erratic depth profiles of prokaryotes and viruses with many subsurface peaks. The prokaryotic abundance correlated well to extensive fluctuations in TOC content at centimeter scale, which were likely caused by recurring mass wasting events. Yet while prokaryotic and viral abundances cross correlated well in the abyssal sediments, there was no clear correlation in the hadal sites. The results suggested that dynamic depositional conditions and higher substrate availability result in a high spatial heterogeneity in viral and prokaryotic abundances in hadal sediments in comparison to more stable abyssal settings. We argue that these conditions enhance the relatively importance of viruses for prokaryotic mortality and carbon recycling in hadal settings.
AB - Hadal trenches represent the deepest part of the ocean and are dynamic depocenters with intensified prokaryotic activity. Here, we explored the distribution and drivers of prokaryotic and viral abundance from the ocean surface and 40 cm into sediments in two hadal trench regions with contrasting surface productivity. In the water column, prokaryotic and viral abundance decreased with water depth before reaching a rather stable level at ~ 4000 m depth at both trench systems, while virus to prokaryote ratios were increasing with depth, presumably reflecting the declining availability of organic material. Prokaryotic and viral abundances in sediments were lower at the adjacent abyssal sites than at the hadal sites and declined exponentially with sediment depth, closely tracking the attenuation of total organic carbon (TOC) content. In contrast, hadal sediment exhibited erratic depth profiles of prokaryotes and viruses with many subsurface peaks. The prokaryotic abundance correlated well to extensive fluctuations in TOC content at centimeter scale, which were likely caused by recurring mass wasting events. Yet while prokaryotic and viral abundances cross correlated well in the abyssal sediments, there was no clear correlation in the hadal sites. The results suggested that dynamic depositional conditions and higher substrate availability result in a high spatial heterogeneity in viral and prokaryotic abundances in hadal sediments in comparison to more stable abyssal settings. We argue that these conditions enhance the relatively importance of viruses for prokaryotic mortality and carbon recycling in hadal settings.
U2 - 10.1002/lno.11711
DO - 10.1002/lno.11711
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34239169
AN - SCOPUS:85101861016
VL - 66
SP - 2095
EP - 2109
JO - Limnology and Oceanography
JF - Limnology and Oceanography
SN - 0024-3590
IS - 6
ER -
ID: 258768452