Viral Infections Boost Prokaryotic Biomass Production and Organic C Cycling in Hadal Trench Sediments.

ABSTRACT: Hadal trenches are among the most remote and least explored ecosystems on Earth and can support high benthic microbial standing stocks and activities. However, information on the role of viruses in such ecosystems and their interactions with prokaryotic hosts is very limited. Here, we investigated activities of benthic viruses and prokaryotes and their interactions in three hadal trenches (Japan, Izu-Ogasawara and Mariana trenches) and in their nearby abyssal sites. Our findings reveal that these hadal trenches, compared with the surrounding abyssal sites, support higher abundances and biomasses of prokaryotes. In addition, the high prokaryotic biomasses of hadal trenches could favor high rates of viral infection and cell lysis, especially in the Japan Trench. Hadal viruses can release lar

SUBMITTER: Manea E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6716271 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature