Vertical partitioning of Microbes: Dominance in photic and aphotic zones

Fereidoun Rassoulzadegan (CNRS, France)

Marine biogeochemistry aims to understand the role of biological processes in the cycling of major elements in both euphotic and aphotic layers. By integrating of new findings to previous studies, I discuss here the vertical partition of the water column between the microbial food web and the microbial loop of the NW Mediterranean. The emphasis is made on the biogeochemical role of microbes at sever phosphorus limitation.