Seasonal dynamics of a cyanobacteria-dominated microbial community in surface sediments of a shallow, eutrophic lake

Abstract

The seasonal variation of microbial biomass and activity in the surface sediments (0–10 cm) of the shallow, eutrophic Lake Vallentunasjon was followed during one year. “Overwintering”Microcystis colonies dominated the microbial community during all seasons, constituting 60–90% of the total microbial biomass. Expressed on an areal basis, the benthic biomass was, throughout the year, larger than or similar to the planktonic biomass during the peak of the summer bloom, indicating an ability of the colonies to survive in the sediments for extended periods. Abundance of “other”, non-photosynthetic bacteria varied in the range 3.0–15.5 · 1010 cells g−1 d. w. over the year with minimum values in summer and maximum values in autumn in connection with the sedimentation of theMicrocystis bloom. A substantial part of the non-photosynthetic bacteria, up to circa 40%, was associated with the mucilage of healthyMicrocystis colonies. Bacterial production (3H-thymidine incorporation) appeared to be strongly temperature dependent and less influenced by the seasonal sedimentation pattern. Our data indicate an increasing proportion of non-growing cells in autumn and winter. Biomass-bound phosphorus constituted a significant portion, circa 10%, of the phosphorus content in Lake Vallentunasjon sediments. This pool has normally been overlooked in studies on phosphorus dynamics in lake sediments. Different mechanisms whereby organic phosphorus can be released from the sediments are discussed.