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A Dissolved Oxygen Threshold for Shifts in Bacterial Community Structure in a Seasonally Hypoxic Estuary

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  • Rachel L Spietz
  • Cheryl M Williams
  • Gabrielle Rocap
  • M Claire Horner-Devine

Abstract

Pelagic ecosystems can become depleted of dissolved oxygen as a result of both natural processes and anthropogenic effects. As dissolved oxygen concentration decreases, energy shifts from macrofauna to microorganisms, which persist in these hypoxic zones. Oxygen-limited regions are rapidly expanding globally; however, patterns of microbial communities associated with dissolved oxygen gradients are not yet well understood. To assess the effects of decreasing dissolved oxygen on bacteria, we examined shifts in bacterial community structure over space and time in Hood Canal, Washington, USA−a glacial fjord-like water body that experiences seasonal low dissolved oxygen levels known to be detrimental to fish and other marine organisms. We found a strong negative association between bacterial richness and dissolved oxygen. Bacterial community composition across all samples was also strongly associated with the dissolved oxygen gradient, and significant changes in bacterial community composition occurred at a dissolved oxygen concentration between 5.18 and 7.12 mg O2 L-1. This threshold value of dissolved oxygen is higher than classic definitions of hypoxia (

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel L Spietz & Cheryl M Williams & Gabrielle Rocap & M Claire Horner-Devine, 2015. "A Dissolved Oxygen Threshold for Shifts in Bacterial Community Structure in a Seasonally Hypoxic Estuary," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0135731
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135731
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    Cited by:

    1. Kinga Zatoń-Sieczka & Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs & Przemysław Czerniejewski & Adam Brysiewicz & Adam Tański, 2022. "Habitat Conditions of the Microbiota in Ballast Water of Ships Entering the Oder Estuary," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Wojciech Halicki, 2023. "Advanced Biological Oxidation of Domestic Sewage with the Use of Compost Beds in a Natural Treatment System for Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Yu Ding & Xiuxian Song & Xihua Cao & Liyan He & Shanshan Liu & Zhiming Yu, 2021. "Healthier Communities of Phytoplankton and Bacteria Achieved via the Application of Modified Clay in Shrimp Aquaculture Ponds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, November.

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