Influence of macrophyte decomposition on growth rate and community structure of Okefenokee Swamp bacterioplankton

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6188633

Murray, R E; Hodson, R E

Dissolved substances released during decomposition of the white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) can alter the growth rate of Okefenokee Swamp bacterioplankton. In microcosm experiments dissolved compounds released bacterioplankton, followed by a period of intense bacterial growth. Rates of (/sup 3/H)thymidine incorporation and turnover of dissolved D-glucose were depressed by over 85%, 3 h after the addition of Nymphaea leachates to microcosms containing Okefenokee Swamp water. Bacterial activity subsequently recovered; after 20 h (/sup 3/H)thymidine incorporation in leachate-treated microcosms was 10-fold greater than that in control microcosms. The recovery of activity was due to a shift in the composition of the bacterial population toward resistance to the inhibitory compounds present in Nymphaea leachates. Inhibitory compounds released during the decomposition of aquatic macrophytes thus act as selective agents which alter the community structure of the bacterial population with respect to leachate resistance. Soluble compounds derived from macrophyte decomposition influence the rate of bacterial secondary production and the availability of microbial biomass to microconsumers.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Georgia, Athens
• OSTI ID: 6188633
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 51:2; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550501 -- Metabolism-- Tracer Techniques
560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AZINES
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION IV
GEORGIA
GLUCOSE
GROWTH
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HEXOSES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LEACHATES
MICROORGANISMS
MIXTURES
MONOSACCHARIDES
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEOSIDES
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
PYRIMIDINES
RIBOSIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLUTIONS
SWAMPS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
THYMIDINE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
USA
WETLANDS