The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Responses of Viral Communities to Seasonal and Anthropogenic Drivers in Subtropical Estuarine Waters
ID:1473 Oral Presentation

2027-01-13 09:15 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 26 - Blue Ecosystems in Transition: From Microbes to Seascapes and Global Impact

Abstract
Estuarine viral communities are highly sensitive to environmental gradients associated with freshwater–seawater mixing, seasonal variability, and anthropogenic disturbance. In subtropical estuarine ecosystems, these interacting drivers may reshape viral diversity, community composition, and virus–host interactions, yet their effects on seasonal viral succession remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated seasonal dynamics of DNA viral communities in two contrasting subtropical coastal habitats of Hong Kong: Deep Bay, a shallow estuarine bay strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities, and Tai Tan, a relatively pristine coastal site on the Sai Kung Peninsula. Seasonal water samples were analyzed using viral metagenomic sequencing to characterize major viral groups, including dsDNA phages, nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs), and ssDNA viruses. We further assessed viral diversity, taxonomic composition, auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), and putative host associations, with particular emphasis on the roles of environmental variability and human disturbance in shaping viral community succession. This study provides new insight into how seasonal forcing and anthropogenic activities jointly structure viral communities in subtropical estuarine and coastal waters, and highlights the ecological importance of viruses in coastal ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Speaker
Yijin Wang The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Author
Yijin Wang The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027