Virus infection of phytoplankton increases average molar mass and reduces hygroscopicity of aerosolized organic matter.

ABSTRACT: Viral infection of phytoplankton is a pervasive mechanism of cell death and bloom termination, which leads to the production of dissolved and colloidal organic matter that can be aerosolized into the atmosphere. Earth-observing satellites can track the growth and death of phytoplankton blooms on weekly time scales but the impact of viral infection on the cloud forming potential of associated aerosols is largely unknown. Here, we determine the influence of viral-derived organic matter, purified viruses, and marine hydrogels on the cloud condensation nuclei activity of their aerosolized solutions, compared to organic exudates from healthy phytoplankton. Dissolved organic material derived from exponentially growing and infected cells of well-characterized eukaryotic phytoplankton host-virus s

SUBMITTER: Diaz BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10163044 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature