Detrital microbial community development and phosphorus dynamics in a stream ecosystem
Detrital microbial community development and phosphorus dynamics in a lotic system were investigated in non-recirculating laboratory streams contains leaf detritus. Temporal patterns of microbial colonization, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, indicate leaf species dependency and that bacteria were the first colonizers followed by fungi. An extensive glycocalyx layer developed. Phosphorus incorporation rates of both the whole community and intracellular components were determined by time-course measurements of /sup 33/PO/sub 4/ or /sup 32/PO/sub 4/. Phosphorus turnover rates were determined by a sequential double-labeling procedure using /sup 33/PO/sub 4/ and /sup 32/PO/sub 4/, in which the microbiota were labeled with /sup 33/P until in isotopic equilibrium, then /sup 32/P was added. The turnover rate was determined by time-course measurements of the ratio /sup 32/P to /sup 33/P. Snail grazing resulted in an increase in phosphorus metabolism per unit microbial biomass; however, per unit area of leaf surface no increase was observed. Grazing also caused a two-fold reduction in microbial biomass. The results indicate that microbiota associated with decomposing leaves slowly recycle phosphorus, are slowly growing, and have a low metabolic activity. The spiraling length is shortened by microbiota on a short-term basis; however, it may increase on a long-term basis due to hydrological transport of detritus downstream.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5691641
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-9920; ON: DE86012605
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
LEAVES
BIODEGRADATION
PHOSPHORUS
MINERAL CYCLING
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COMMUNITIES
DETRITUS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MICROORGANISMS
PHOSPHORUS 32
PHOSPHORUS 33
STREAMS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DECOMPOSITION
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
520101* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (-1989)