How bacteria devour algae

Sweet feast with multiple courses

Abstract

The massive growth of tiny algae in the ocean, the phytoplankton, causes a so-called algae bloom to form every spring in the North Sea. The algae not only form the basis of the food chain, they also serve as food for bacteria, which decompose the algae and their remains. For the bacteria, it is not decisive which types of algae are present, but which polysaccharides they contain. Based on the bacterial genomes, we can see which bacteria are present, which sugars they might break down and what function they presumably have in the carbon cycle. Long-term studies, observatories and bioarchives are essential for this research, which is particularly relevant in view of climate change.