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Nitrogen-fixing communities in an intertidal ecosystem

B B Bohlool, W J Wiebe

    Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    |August 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Nitrogen fixation in intertidal zones is significantly higher in areas with algae, plants, and animals. Microbial communities, particularly Oscillatoria-Euglena-photosynthetic bacteria, are key drivers of this biological nitrogen fixation.

    Area of Science:

    • Marine Ecology
    • Biogeochemistry
    • Microbial Ecology

    Background:

    • Intertidal zones are dynamic ecosystems influenced by biological and geological processes.
    • Nitrogen fixation is a crucial process for nutrient cycling in marine environments.
    • Understanding nitrogen fixation rates in different intertidal communities is essential for ecosystem health.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantify in situ nitrogen fixation rates across various intertidal communities.
    • To identify the specific communities responsible for the highest nitrogen fixation.
    • To compare nitrogen fixation rates in light versus dark conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • In situ measurement of nitrogen fixation using the acetylene reduction assay.
    • Categorization of intertidal sites based on dominant colonizing organisms (algae, plants, animals, microbial associations).

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  • Statistical analysis to group sites by nitrogen fixation activity levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Colonized areas exhibited significantly higher nitrogen fixation than uncolonized areas.
    • The Oscillatoria-Euglena-photosynthetic bacteria association showed the highest nitrogen fixation rates, contributing significantly to overall nitrogen input despite small coverage.
    • Enteromorpha communities also demonstrated high nitrogen fixation rates.
    • Nitrogen fixation rates were higher in light than in dark conditions for Enteromorpha and Oscillatoria-Euglena-photosynthetic bacteria.

    Conclusions:

    • Biological nitrogen fixation is highly variable across intertidal sediments, strongly influenced by the presence and type of biological communities.
    • Microbial mats, particularly the Oscillatoria-Euglena-photosynthetic bacteria association, are disproportionately important contributors to nitrogen cycling in these ecosystems.
    • Light availability is a critical factor influencing nitrogen fixation rates in certain intertidal communities.