Molecular and genomic insights into the microbial ecology of hypoxic marine ecosystems

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Canada is a maritime nation with major economic and social interests in the ecological health of Earth's oceans. In large part, the ecology of the ocean is governed by microbial life. Microorganisms constitute the majority of biodiversity and biomass in oceans and play central biogeochemical roles that sustain the existence of larger life forms. Currently, the oceans are undergoing fundamental alterations due to anthropogenic factors, including climate change and excess nutrient inputs. One significant outcome of these alterations is an increase in oxygen-deficiency (hypoxia) in marine ecosystems. Hypoxia restricts animal distribution, leading to so-called "dead zones," and the formation of ecosystems comprised almost exclusively of microbial species. Microbial communities associated with dead zones are unique in composition and metabolic capabilities, and may exacerbate the environmental impact of hypoxia through production of green house gases and toxic hydrogen sulfide. Given the ecological impact of marine hypoxia, and the contribution of microbial processes to oxygen-sensitive biogeochemical cycles, it is important to further understand the microbial ecology of hypoxic systems. To this end, the research objective is to perform long term, high frequency time-series analysis of hypoxic systems that will generate novel molecular and genomic-based descriptions of microbial community composition and activity. Systems biology approaches will be used to identify and track changes in microbial community composition and activity associated with intensification of oxygen depletion in coastal Canadian waters. This information will be essential in the later development of predictive models of microbial community role and response in the physical and biogeochemical processes that result in marine hypoxia. This work will provide exceptional novel insight in the fields of microbial ecology and oceanography by revealing previously unrecognized patterns in microbial diversity and metabolism associated with ocean conditions that are likely to expand in coming years due to human activity.