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Viruses, prokaryotes and DNA in the sediments of a deep‐hypersaline anoxic basin (DHAB) of the Mediterranean Sea
Author(s) -
Danovaro R.,
Corinaldesi C.,
Dell’Anno A.,
Fabiano M.,
Corselli C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00727.x
Subject(s) - biology , anoxic waters , mediterranean climate , mediterranean sea , structural basin , ecology , plankton , paleontology
Summary Viral and prokaryote abundance were investigated in a deep‐hypersaline anoxic basin of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (DHAB Atalante basin at c . 3000 m depth). This system was compared with two nearby deep‐sea sites characterized by oxic conditions. Viral abundance and virus to prokaryote abundance ratio in hypersaline anoxic sediments displayed values close to those reported in oxic sites. The analysis of vertical profiles of viral abundance in the Atalante basin revealed the lack of significant changes with depth in the sediment, suggesting that benthic viruses in these anoxic and hypersaline conditions are preserved or resistant to decay. The anoxic basin displayed also very high concentrations of labile organic components (proteins and lipids) and extracellular DNA. These findings suggest that the DHAB sediments represent a reservoir for long‐term preservation of benthic viruses and nucleic acids.