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The microbial loop in flowing waters.

J L Meyer1

  • 1Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, 30602-2602, Athens, Georgia, USA.

Microbial Ecology
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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The microbial loop in flowing waters relies on external carbon sources. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) bioavailability varies greatly but can be predicted by its chemical makeup, influencing stream ecosystems.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Organic geochemistry

Background:

  • The microbial loop is crucial for nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems.
  • Allochthonous carbon sources are vital for flowing waters but vary in quality.
  • Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) quality significantly impacts microbial loop function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the variability and predictability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) bioavailability in streams.
  • To identify key chemical properties of DOC that influence its bioavailability.
  • To understand the role of bacterial consumers and trophic structure in the lotic microbial loop.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) quality using elemental ratios (H/C and O/C).
  • Measurement of bacterial production and consumption rates in stream environments.
  • Characterization of consumer communities, including protists, meiofauna, and macroinvertebrates.

Main Results:

  • The degradable proportion of DOC in streams ranges from less than 1% to over 50%.
  • DOC bioavailability exhibits a two-order-of-magnitude variation and is predictable from H/C and O/C ratios.
  • Meiofauna, filter feeders, and grazers exhibit the highest rates of bacterial consumption.

Conclusions:

  • DOC bioavailability in streams is influenced by its chemical composition, offering potential for predictive modeling.
  • The lotic microbial loop may function more as a direct link than a complex food web compared to marine systems.
  • Further research is needed to develop simple predictors for DOC bioavailability across diverse environments.