Abstract
Viral processes in the coastal and offshore regions of the Eastern Arabian Sea (west coast of India) and their contribution of viral lysis to the organic carbon and nitrogen pool was examined. Water samples were collected during the southwest monsoon season at different depths (up to 1000 m) from four transects, with each transect consisting of two sampling points (S1–S8). Abundances of viruses and prokaryotes together with viral mediated prokaryotic mortality (up to 49.7%) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in eutrophic coastal stations, whereas high percent lysogeny (up to 93%) was observed in the offshore regions. High viral-mediated carbon (Mean ± SD = 67.47 ± 2.0 μM C L−1 d−1) and nitrogen (Mean ± SD = 13.49 ± 14.0 μM N L−1 d−1) release was evident in the surface coastal waters compared to offshore regions. The percentage contributions of carbon and nitrogen released by viral lysis to the total dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen pool were estimated to be 7.4% and 3.9%, respectively, in the coastal surface waters. Our findings suggest that the contribution of viral lysis to DOM production through viral shunt could be crucial for the cycling of major biogeochemical elements and functioning of the studied tropical ecosystem.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
