First Data on Heterotrophic Prokaryotes, Viruses, and the Viral Infection of Prokaryotes in the River and Lakes of the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago (Arctic)

The first data on the structural and functional characteristics of planktonic communities of prokaryotes and viruses in the river and lakes of the October Revolution Island of the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago are presented. High values of the abundance, frequency of dividing cells, and specific growth rate indicated a high activity of prokaryotes during a short period of ice absence both in river and lake aquatic ecosystems. During this period (late July), the abundance of viruses exceeded that of prokaryotes in the river and lakes by 9 and 3 times, respectively. The mortality of prokaryotes as a result of viral lysis reached 34% of prokaryote production. A significant number of large viral particles (with a capsid diameter of 230–305 nm) have been found in the inland waters of the island, which are viruses of eukaryotic organisms.