Viral Induced Microbial Mortality in Arctic Hypersaline Spring Sediments.

ABSTRACT: Viruses are a primary influence on microbial mortality in the global ocean. The impacts of viruses on their microbial hosts in low-energy environments are poorly explored and are the focus of this study. To investigate the role of viruses in mediating mortality in low-energy environments where contacts between viruses and microbes are infrequent, we conducted a set of in situ time series incubations in the outlet and channel sediments of two cold, hypersaline springs of the Canadian High Arctic. We found microbial and viral populations in dynamic equilibrium, indicating approximately equal birth and death rates for each population. In situ rates of microbial growth were low (0.5-50 × 10³ cells cm^-3 h^-1) as were rates of viral decay (0.09-170 ×

SUBMITTER: Colangelo-Lillis J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5253365 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature