Marine bacteria in the twilight zone responded to organic matter addition and temperature elevation

Twilight zone is an oceanic realm where heterotrophic bacteria mineralize large amounts of organic matter delivered from the sunlit layer. This study investigated whether and to what extent heterotrophic bacteria in the twilight zone respond to organic matter (glucose) addition and temperature elevation (ambient plus 5 degree C).

Our results showed that organic matter and temperature exerted a strong synergetic enhancement effect on bacterial activity (respiration and production). These results have implications for a better understanding of the response of ocean carbon cycle to global climate change.

(Professor T. Nagata & Research fellow M. Uchimiya)