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Aster-like nanoparticles (ALNs) are femtoentities, recently discovered in different aquatic environments, whose intrinsic nature and ecological features remain to be determined. In this study, we investigate the in situ temporal dynamics of ALNs during 1 year in 3 different lakes, in relation to the physico-chemical and biological environment. ALN abundances in investigated lakes showed a marked seasonal dynamic (from no detectable to 4.28 ± 0.75 × 10 6 ALNs mL -1 ), with characteristic peaks in spring. We recorded a correlation between ALNs and some prokaryotic phyla suggesting a broad and non-specific relationship. From their seasonal dynamics and potential link with prokaryotes, we conclude that ALNs represent an important ecological actor in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Aster-like nanoparticles (ALNs) are newly described femto-entities. Their ecology (e.g., geographic distribution, spatial dynamic, preferences, forcing factors) is still unknown. Here, we report that these entities, which have largely been ignored until now, can develop or maintain themselves in most aquatic environments in the Loire River catchment, France. We observed a significant influence of the trophic state on ALN ecological distributions. A positive relationship between prokaryotic abundance and ALN (r 2  = 0.72, p < 0.01) has been identified, but its exact nature remains to be clarified. Combined with their ubiquitous distribution and high abundances (up to 7.9 × 10 6  ALNs mL -1 ) recorded in our samples, this probably makes ALNs an overlooked functional component in aquatic ecosystems.