Heterotrophic Bacteria Enhance the Aggregation of the Marine Picocyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus.

ABSTRACT: Marine picocyanobacteria are ubiquitous primary producers across the world's oceans, and play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Recent evidence stemming from in situ investigations have shown that picocyanobacteria are able to sink out of the euphotic zone to depth, which has traditionally been associated with larger, mineral ballasted cells. The mechanisms behind the sinking of picocyanobacteria remain a point of contention, given that they are too small to sink on their own. To gain a mechanistic understanding of the potential role of picocyanobacteria in carbon export, we tested their ability to form "suspended" (5-60 μm) and "visible" (ca. > 0.1 mm) aggregates, as well as their production of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP)-which are a key component in the formation o

SUBMITTER: Cruz BN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6700329 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature