The Dynamics, Distribution, and Activity of Viruses in Lake Erie

As viruses-- specifically pervasive pathogens of aquatic microorganisms-- are now included in most studies of aquatic food webs and nutrient cycles, presented here is new information from samples collected in July 2003 which demonstrates that bacteria lysed by viruses released 122 - 1080 nM of phosphorus per day throughout Lake Erie, implying that viruses acted as a major mechanism of phosphorus recycling in the lake. Viruses have been shown to be ubiquitous throughout Lake Erie, with a weak correlation between their distribution and the distribution of bacteria. Moreover, evidence suggests that virus production rates are tightly tied to the growth rate of the microbial community, with changes in bacterial growth (brought on by amendments of PO₄-P) resulting in increases in virus production in the system. In combination with data compiled from 1997 through 2002, this information is presented to reinforce the importance of viruses as integral components of Lake Erie and other aquatic ecosystems.