Dimethylsulfoniopropionate turnover is linked to the composition and dynamics of the bacterioplankton assemblage during a microcosm phytoplankton bloom

The assimilation and transformation of phytoplankton-derived organic sulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) by bacteria during the microcosm experiment and relation between the changes in DMSP processing and the changes in the composition of the bacterial assemblage during the induced bloom compared to nonbloom conditions are investigated. The results show that the composition of the bacterial assemblage and the contribution of DMSP to the overall dissolved organic sulfur/organic matter pool control how efficiently bacteria assimilate DMSP S and thereby potentially divert it from DMS production.