Data of biodiversity of marine bacterioplankton at Kongsfjorden in the summer of 2008

Phylogenetic diversity of the marine bacterioplankton in Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen) was investigated through 16S rRNA gene analysis. Community fingerprint analysis by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed that there was no apparent difference of bacterioplankton community composition between sampling locations in the fjord. A higher biodiversity was observed in bottom water of Stn. 3 in the central part of the fjord. By 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis, sequences detected both in surface and bottom water of Station 3 fell into eight putative divisions, including Proteobacteria (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta), Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and unidentified bacteria, in addition to chloroplasts of algae. Sequences representing Planctomycetes were only observed in bottom water. Compared to the preponderance of clones representing Gammaproteobacteria (36.5%) and Alphaproteobacteria (29.4%) in bottom water, Alphaproteobacteria (43.6%) and algae (27.7%) constituted two dominant fractions in surface water. Cloned sequences showed 82.1 to 100% similarity to those described sequences.