A pivotal role for ocean eddies in the distribution of microbial communities across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

ABSTRACT: Mesoscale variability and associated eddy fluxes play crucial roles in ocean circulation dynamics and the ecology of the upper ocean. In doing so, these features are biologically important, providing a mechanism for the mixing and exchange of nutrients and biota within the ocean. Transient mesoscale eddies in the Southern Ocean are known to relocate zooplankton communities across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and are important foraging grounds for marine top predators. In this study we investigated the role of cyclonic and anti-cyclonic eddies formed at the South-West Indian Ridge on the spatial variability and diversity of microbial communities. We focused on two contrasting adjacent eddies within the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone to determine how these features may influence the

SUBMITTER: Venkatachalam S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5565106 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature