Flow of heterotrophic production in oligotrophic ocean waters.

ABSTRACT: In oligotrophic ecosystems, bacterial production (BP) via the microbial loop and grazing processes plays a crucial role in carbon transfer (CT) to higher trophic levels. However, there studies quantifying CT from bacteria to the marine food web are limited. In this study, we used ¹³C-isotope tracers and cavity ring-down spectroscopy to measure primary production (PP), BP, bacterial respiration (BR), and CT within the microbial food web in oligotrophic waters. Our results revealed that the BP rate, ranging from 0.02 to 4.93 μg C L^-1 d^-1, was significantly lower than the total PP, which ranged from 2.69 to 16.71 μg C L^-1 d^-1. Our findings indicate that grazing of bacteria in the Red Sea is substantial. The removal of grazers through pref

SUBMITTER: Alothman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11938127 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature