Structure and function of anthropogenically altered microbial communities in coastal waters

Abstract

Human-based (anthropogenic) nutrient and other pollutant enrichment of the world's coastal waters is causing unprecedented changes in microbial community structure and function. Symptoms of these changes include accelerating eutrophication, the proliferation of harmful microalgal blooms, excessive oxygen consumption (hypoxia, anoxia) increasing toxicity, altered routes and fluxes of organic and inorganic matter cycling, and disruption of food webs. Biogeochemical and trophic consequences are expanding on local, regional and global scales.