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Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays
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Impaired leaf litter processing in acidified streams : learning from microbial enzyme activities.

Hugues Clivot1, Michael Danger, Christophe Pagnout

  • 1Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire des Interactions Ecotoxicologie Biodiversité Ecosystèmes (LIEBE), UMR 7146, Metz, 57070, France.

Microbial Ecology
|August 21, 2012
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Summary

Acidification in streams reduces leaf decomposition by impacting microbial phosphorus cycling. Aluminum toxicity interferes with phosphorus acquisition, affecting ecosystem function and potentially limiting microbial decomposers.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Aquatic Ecosystems
  • Biogeochemical Cycles

Background:

  • Anthropogenic acidification impacts stream microbial communities and leaf litter breakdown.
  • Less is understood about acidification's effects on microbial enzyme activities.
  • Aluminum toxicity is a known stressor in acidic aquatic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of stream acidification on microbial enzyme activities during leaf decomposition.
  • To investigate the role of aluminum and nutrient cycling in acid-impacted headwater streams.

Main Methods:

  • A 70-day litter bag experiment was conducted across an acidification gradient in six headwater streams.
  • Leaf decomposition rates, microbial assemblages (using DGGE), fungal biomass, nutrient content, and ecoenzymatic activities (C, N, P acquisition) were analyzed.
  • Correlations between environmental parameters (pH, Al, Ca2+) and measured biological responses were determined.

Main Results:

  • Leaf decomposition was negatively correlated with total aluminum (Al) and positively with pH and Ca2+.
  • Microbial assemblages differed between impacted and non-impacted sites; fungal biomass remained unaffected.
  • Phosphorus (P) acquisition was significantly reduced in acidified streams, correlating with increased Al and decreased decomposition rates, suggesting P limitation.

Conclusions:

  • Acidification, primarily through aluminum toxicity, interferes with microbial phosphorus cycling, impacting leaf litter decomposition in headwater streams.
  • Reduced P acquisition by microbial decomposers may limit ecosystem functioning in acidified environments.
  • Aluminum's effect extends beyond direct toxicity to aquatic biota, influencing microbially mediated ecosystem processes.