Repeating patterns of virioplankton production within an estuarine ecosystem

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101907108
• Publication Date: 2011-06-28T09:22:51Z
• Authors: Danielle M. Winget; Rebekah R. Helton; Kurt E. Williamson; Shellie R. Bench; Shannon J. Willia...; K. Eric Wommack
• Keywords: Chesapeake bay; Bacterioplankton; Seasonality; Biogeochemical Cycle

The Chesapeake Bay, a seasonally variable temperate estuary, provides natural laboratory for examining the fluctuations and impacts of viral lysis on aquatic microorganisms. Viral abundance (VA) production (VP) were monitored in Bay over 4 1/2 annual cycles, producing unique, long-term, interannual study virioplankton production. High dynamic VP rates, averaging 7.9 × 10 6 viruses per mL h, indicate that significant fraction microorganisms Chesapeake. Viral-mediated bacterial mortality, VA, VP, organic carbon release all displayed similar seasonal trends with higher values 2003 2006 than 2004 2005 peaks early spring summer. Surprisingly, rates occurred winter, resulting magnified effect bacterioplankton during times reduced productivity. directly impacted pool, contributing average 76 μg C L d, an amount capable sustaining ∼55% observed repeating patterns are likely interlinked cycles host diversity, which turn driven by environmental conditions, emphasizing complex interplay seasonality microbial ecology Bay.