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Accessing Fungal Contributions to the Birch Effect: Real-Time Respiration from Pore-Scale Microfluidics
Yi-Syuan Guo1, Karl K Weitz1, Aramy Truong1
1Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA.
Microorganisms
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Soil fungi contribute to the Birch effect, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) during drying and rewetting cycles. This study used micromodels and real-time mass spectrometry (RTMS) to demonstrate fungal CO2 release at the pore scale.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Drying and rewetting cycles stimulate soil carbon emissions, a phenomenon known as the Birch effect.
- Real-time mass spectrometry (RTMS) is a technique used to monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux.
- The role of soil fungi in CO2 release during these cycles is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of soil fungi to the Birch effect.
- To demonstrate the integration of micromodels with RTMS for studying pore-scale biogeochemistry.
- To quantify CO2 release from fungi during simulated drought and rewetting.
Main Methods:
- Simulated drought and rewetting cycles using micromodels inoculated with axenic fungal cultures.
- Assessment of fungal moisture retention during drying.
- Quantification of CO2 release upon rewetting using RTMS and H218O mixtures.
Main Results:
- Soil fungi were shown to release CO2 upon rehydration.
- Fungi immediately utilized the external water source at the pore scale.
- Subsequent 46CO2 generation indicated water utilization by fungi.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of fungal involvement in the Birch effect.
- The integration of RTMS with microsystems enables the investigation of pore-scale biogeochemical processes.
- Fungi play a significant role in soil carbon dynamics during drying-rewetting events.
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