Seasonal dynamics of marine microbial communities in Antarctica. marine metagenome

Sampling with seasonal frequency is fundamental for understanding taxonomic and functional diversity of microbes and their strategies to adapt to changing environmental conditions, including the ocean warming. The main goal of this study was to assess the seasonal changes in microbial diversity and community structure across early and late austral summers, comprising 6 time-sets with distinct thermohaline characteristics in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula. Ten monitoring stations were selected across Gerlache and Bransfield Straits and nearby the Elephant Island in order to compare the taxonomic diversity and microbial community structure seasonally between austral summers 2013-2015.