Abundance of planktonic virus-like particles in Lake Erie subsurface waters

Abundance of virus-like particles (VLP) was determined in Lake Erie subsurf ace water. The relationship between VLP and the bacterial and phytoplankton communities were investigated. Viral and bacterial numbers were determined using nucleic acid stains and epifluorescent microscopy. Phytoplankton abu ndance was estimated by chlorophyll a extraction. Viral abundance averaged 1.05 x 10(6) VLP/ml and the ratio of viral to bacterial number was less tha n 1.0 across most sampling sites and dates. Viral abundance was not correla ted with either bacterial abundance or chlorophyll a concentration. Viral a bundance was found to be most similar to other Great Lakes and marine syste ms and dissimilar to other freshwater systems.