Analyzing the trophic link between the mesopelagic microbial loop and zooplankton from observed depth profiles of bacteria and protozoa

摘要: Abstract. It is widely recognized that organic carbon exported to the ocean aphotic layer significantly consumed by heterotrophic organisms such as bacteria and zooplankton in mesopelagic layer. However, very little known for trophic link between or function of microbial loop this In northwestern Mediterranean, recent studies have shown viruses, bacteria, nanoflagellates, ciliates distribute down 2000 m with group-specific depth-dependent decreases, bacterial production decreases depth 1000 m. Here we show data can be analyzed using a simple steady-state food chain model quantify flow from over The indicates mortality viruses similar 1.5 times greater than nanoflagellates transfer higher levels.