UT Study Unveils Viral Role in Ocean Oxygenation
A groundbreaking interdisciplinary study led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Maryland has revealed a fascinating connection between viral infections and ocean oxygen levels. The research, published in Nature Communications, showcases how viral activity in blue-green algae can significantly impact the ocean's ecosystem.
"Our planet is a microbial world, and viruses play a crucial role in this intricate process," explained Steven Wilhelm, a renowned microbiologist at UT and a senior author of the study. "Their influence goes beyond causing disease; they can stimulate growth and production."
The study's findings emerged from a National Science Foundation research cruise to the Sargasso Sea, where Wilhelm served as chief scientist. The team, comprising UT faculty, students, and collaborators from Georgia Tech, Ohio State University, Technion Institute of Technology, and the University of Maryland, embarked on the Atlantic Explorer in October 2019.
They conducted around-the-clock RNA sequencing surveys of the microbiology at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study, a long-standing project collecting ocean data. The research revealed that viral infection of Prochlorococcus, a type of cyanobacteria, triggers the release of nutrients, fostering microbial growth and elevating oxygen levels in the water.
"This oxygen-rich band in the ocean, extending several meters below the surface for several months annually, is significantly influenced by viral activity," Wilhelm noted. "Our findings establish a direct link between viral infections and the microbial loop in the ocean's food web."
The study introduces the concept of the 'viral shunt,' a term first introduced by Wilhelm and Curtis Suttle in 1999. This viral activity enhances the recycling of carbon and nutrients, driving productivity and shedding new light on historical trends indicating a correlation between viral activity and ecosystem functioning beneath the surface.
Naomi Gilbert, a PhD graduate, led the research, which was funded by a National Science Foundation grant and supported by the Simons Foundation. Wilhelm and Weitz will further explore these findings in The Conversation, inviting public engagement and discussion.
This study highlights the intricate relationship between viruses and the ocean's ecosystem, offering valuable insights into the microbial world's impact on our planet.
