X-ray microanalysis and microbial colonization of leaves in Lake Wallenpaupack in eastern Pennsylvania

Abstract

The microbial decomposition of leaf litter provides a major source of organic carbon and other nutrients and is important in ensuring the stability of lake ecosystems. Lake leaf litter can also act as a sink for immobilization of nutrients and elements. This investigation utilizes the scanning electron microscope and the energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis technique to study the effects of agricultural or septic tank leakage pollutants on microbial colonization and elemental accumulation in leaves submerged in a lake in eastern Pennsylvania.White oak and red maple leaves were placed in mesh bags in the littoral zone of three cove sites at lake Wallenpaupack, a 13 mile-long, 5,700 acre lake located in the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania. Cove 1 was surrounded by a wooded area and received water input from a wetland preserve. Cove 2 was suspected of contamination by septic tank leakage. Cove 3 received water input from a tributary passing through a heavily farmed drainage basin.