Microbial community response in non-axenic cultures of Thalassiosira pseudonana to crude oil with and without the chrysolaminarin synthesis inhibitor dichlorobenzonitrile

Diatoms secrete a significant amount of polysaccharides into the environment, which can serve as a critical organic carbon source for bacteria. These polysaccharides (especially chrysolaminarin) are produced in copious amounts in diatoms especially during the stationary phase of their growth. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposed the Gulf of Mexico to substantial amounts of oil that had significantly impacted the phytoplankton community. Here, we investigated the microbial community response in non-axenic cultures of an oil sensitive diatom species, Thalassiosira pseudonana (CCMP 1335), with and without the chrysolaminarin synthesis inhibitor Dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB), and in the presence and absence of oil.