Cold-season macrophyte-driven microbial modulation reduces nutrient release in eutrophic lake sediments.
Xiaowen Ma1, Ligong Wang2, Jiahe Li2
1Dongting Lake Station for Wetland Ecosystem Research, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China; The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystem of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Journal of Environmental Management
|August 17, 2025
Summary
Restoring cold-season macrophytes like Potamogeton crispus significantly reduces lake sediment nitrogen and phosphorus. This restoration reshapes microbial communities, enhancing nutrient cycling and stabilization for better lake management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Aquatic Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Eutrophic lakes suffer from internal nutrient loading, impacting water quality.
- Submerged macrophytes are crucial for regulating lake sediment nutrient cycling.
- The role of cold-season macrophytes in sediment microbial processes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Potamogeton crispus restoration on nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in lake sediments.
- To understand the associated shifts in sediment microbial community structure and function.
- To explore plant-microbe-nutrient interactions in cold-season macrophyte ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Field enclosure experiment using Potamogeton crispus.
- Metagenomic sequencing to analyze microbial communities.
- Measurement of nutrient concentrations and fluxes across the sediment-water interface.
Main Results:
- Potamogeton crispus restoration decreased bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and fluxes.
- Significant shifts in microbial community structure and functional genes were observed.
- Genes related to nitrogen cycling (nitrification, nitrate reduction) and phosphorus cycling were enriched.
- Key microbial genes showed strong correlations with nutrient levels, suggesting a role in stabilization.
Conclusions:
- Cold-season macrophytes like P. crispus play a vital role in regulating sediment biogeochemical processes.
- Restoration of P. crispus alters microbial communities to enhance nutrient retention.
- Findings offer mechanistic insights for seasonally optimized lake management strategies.
Keywords:
MetagenomicsMicrobial functionsNutrient cyclingPlant–microbe interactionsSediment–water interfaceSubmerged macrophyte restorationMore Related Videos
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