16S rRNA analysis of particle-associated and free-living microbial communities in Osaka Bay
This project aims to characterize the taxonomic composition and temporal dynamics of particle-associated and free-living microbial communities in coastal marine environments using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Samples were collected from Osaka Bay across multiple time points, and microbial communities were separated into particle-associated and free-living fractions. By comparing microbial diversity and community structure between these two ecological niches, this study provides insights into microbial habitat specialization and ecological processes in coastal marine ecosystems.