Physicochemical variables limit and control the distribution of microbial communities in all environments. In the oceans, this may significantly influence functional processes such the consumption of dissolved organic material and nutrient sequestration. Yet, the relative contributions of physical factors, such as water mass variability and depth, on functional processes are underexplored. We assessed microbial community structure and functionality in the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis and extracellular enzymatic activity assays, respectively. We found that depth and nutrients substantially drive the structural patterns of bacteria and archaea in this region. Shifts from epipelagic to bathypelagic zones were linked to decreases in the activities of several extracellular enzymes. These extracellular enzymatic activities were positively correlated with several phyla including several Alphaproteobacteria (including members of the SAR 11 clade and order Rhodospirillales) and Cyanobacteria. We show that depth-dependent variables may be essential drivers of community structure and functionality in the PEIs.

中文翻译：

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深度相关变量塑造爱德华王子群岛的社区结构和功能。

物理化学变量限制和控制微生物群落在所有环境中的分布。在海洋中，这可能会显着影响功能过程，例如溶解的有机物质的消耗和营养物的吸收。然而，物理因素的相对贡献，如水质量变化和深度，对功能过程的探索不足。我们分别使用 16S rRNA 基因扩增子分析和细胞外酶活性测定评估了爱德华王子群岛 (PEI) 的微生物群落结构和功能。我们发现深度和营养物质在很大程度上推动了该地区细菌和古细菌的结构模式。从上层到深海区的转变与几种细胞外酶活性的降低有关。这些细胞外酶活性与几种门正相关，包括几种 Alphaproteobacteria（包括 SAR 11 进化枝和红螺菌目的成员）和蓝藻。我们表明，深度相关变量可能是 PEI 社区结构和功能的重要驱动因素。