Vertical Structure and Functional Diversity of Microbial Communities in the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

ABSTRACT: The Ross Sea, Antarctica, encompasses distinct water masses, each characterized by unique physicochemical conditions influencing microbial community composition and functional diversity. This study examined microbial communities across five stations covering various water masses, including Antarctic Surface Water (AASW), Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), and Shelf Water (SW). Despite limited horizontal variability, significant vertical structuring was observed, potentially driven by vertical microbial dispersal from surface waters. Surface communities exhibited lower alpha diversity due to abundant labile organic matter favoring fast-growing heterotrophic taxa, whereas deeper communities displayed increased microbial richness, reflecting adaptation to more refractory organic matter. Functional

SUBMITTER: Yeo IC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484260 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature