Phytoplankton and bacterioplankton diversity

Phytoplankton are widely distributed from the surface to the deep sea, but their vertical distribution characteristics are often affected by multiple factors (e.g. geographic location or hydrodynamics). Seamounts are a unique marine environment characterized by complicated hydrodynamics, where the vertical distribution of phytoplankton may have certain particularities. Due to the close relationship between phytoplankton and bacteria, the particular distribution of phytoplankton may further affect bacterial communities. However, there is little knowledge about this aspect at present.