Virus_SR-2026

Viruses, more specifically phages, are considered the most abundant biological entities on our planet. Despite that all microbial populations are impacted by viral infections, little is known regarding the impact of viral infections on specific microbial populations, and the direct and indirect consequences of virus–microbe interactions for biogeochemical cycles. Dissimilatory sulfate reduction directly links the global elemental cycles of carbon and sulfur. Quantitatively, sulfate reduction is most important process to degrade organic matter in anoxic marine sediment. This project will investigate the relationship between viral activity and sediment microbial metabolism, in particular sulfate reduction through environmental observations, process-oriented biogeochemical incubations and modeling. This research will lead to novel insight into the interactions between viruses and microorganisms, and how they control early diagenetic processes by (i) determining the impact of viruses on sediment metabolism in general, (ii) quantifying the influence of viruses on microbial sulfate reduction rates, (iii) elucidating the interactions of sulfate reducing microorganisms and viruses. These results will then be incorporated in a reactive transport model to describe viral dynamics and their interactions with the C, S, and Fe cycles.