Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Microbiome Research Group, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
Department of Science and Innovation/South African Research Chair in Marine Microbiomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2022 Oct 26;98(11). doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiac123.
The Southern Ocean (SO) distributes climate signals and nutrients worldwide, playing a pivotal role in global carbon sequestration. Microbial communities are essential mediators of primary productivity and carbon sequestration, yet we lack a comprehensive understanding of microbial diversity and functionality in the SO. Here, we examine contemporary studies in this unique polar system, focusing on prokaryotic communities and their relationships with other trophic levels (i.e. phytoplankton and viruses). Strong seasonal variations and the characteristic features of this ocean are directly linked to community composition and ecosystem functions. Specifically, we discuss characteristics of SO microbial communities and emphasise differences from the Arctic Ocean microbiome. We highlight the importance of abundant bacteria in recycling photosynthetically derived organic matter. These heterotrophs appear to control carbon flux to higher trophic levels when light and iron availability favour primary production in spring and summer. Conversely, during winter, evidence suggests that chemolithoautotrophs contribute to prokaryotic production in Antarctic waters. We conclude by reviewing the effects of climate change on marine microbiota in the SO.
南大洋（SO）在全球范围内分布气候信号和营养物质，在全球碳固存中起着关键作用。微生物群落是初级生产力和碳固存的重要中介，但我们对 SO 中的微生物多样性和功能缺乏全面的了解。在这里，我们研究了这个独特的极地系统中的当代研究，重点是原核生物群落及其与其他营养水平（即浮游植物和病毒）的关系。强烈的季节性变化和该海洋的特征与群落组成和生态系统功能直接相关。具体来说，我们讨论了 SO 微生物群落的特征，并强调了与北极海洋微生物组的差异。我们强调了丰富的细菌在回收光合作用产生的有机物质中的重要作用。当光照和铁供应有利于春季和夏季的初级生产时，这些异养生物似乎控制着碳向更高营养级的流动。相反，在冬季，有证据表明，化能自养生物有助于南极水域的原核生物生产。最后，我们通过审查气候变化对 SO 海洋微生物群的影响来进行总结。
