Carbon Cycling In Aquatic Ecosystems Research Articles

Satellite determining dominant sources of particulate organic carbon across different eutrophic waters

Particulate organic carbon (POC) plays a vital role in carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems. A knowledge of POC source dynamics is important for a comprehensive understanding of many biogeochmeical processes in inland and coastal waters. Yet, determining POC sources from remote sensing have not been fully explored. Using bio-optical datasets from 10 cruises in Taihu Lake, Poyang Lake, Daya Bay and the Pearl River Estuary, an optical classification scheme was developed to detect the dominant source of POC from remote sensing, taking into consideration the absorbing feature of phytoplankton pigment in the near-infrared waveband. Following the approach of POC source identification, the study waters were distinguished into two classes, the algae-based origin and detritus-dominance source. POC sources were thus mapped with 2016–2019 VIIRS imagery data, which exhibited significant temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity for the four study waters across different eutrophic states. It was observed that Poyang Lake was mostly terrigenous in all the study years and phytoplankton-related source was dominated in Daya Bay. Taihu Lake showed heterogeneous conditions varying with time and space, whereas most water areas was contributed by the terrestrial origin. Specially, the Pearl River Estuary presented a typical pattern of POC sources dynamics, with an exogenous source in the north-west waters, while endogenous in the south-east open areas. By implication, the methodology of POC source determination in the present study, will be conveniently applied to the common water color satellites and effectively identify the POC origins in time and space in future, which allows for a better understanding the carbon cycling and biogeochemical processes in inland and coastal waters with different eutrophication conditions.

Degradation of dead cladoceran zooplankton and their contribution to organic carbon cycling in stratified lakes: field observation and model prediction

Abstract The contribution of dead zooplankton biomass to carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems is practically unknown. Using abundance data of zooplankton in water column and dead zooplankton in sediment traps in Lake Stechlin, an ecological-mathematical model was developed to simulate the abundance and sinking of zooplankton carcasses and predict the related release of labile organic matter (LOM) into the water column. We found species-specific differences in mortality rate of the dominant zooplankton: Daphnia cucullata, Bosmina coregoni and Diaphanosoma brachyurum (0.008, 0.129 and 0.020 day−1, respectively) and differences in their carcass sinking velocities in metalimnion (and hypolimnion): 2.1 (7.64), 14.0 (19.5) and 1.1 (5.9) m day−1, respectively. Our model simulating formation and degradation processes of dead zooplankton predicted a bimodal distribution of the released LOM: epilimnic and metalimnic peaks of comparable intensity, ca. 1 mg DW m−3 day−1. Maximum degradation of carcasses up to ca. 1.7 mg DW m−3 day−1 occurred in the density gradient zone of metalimnion. LOM released from zooplankton carcasses into the surrounding water may stimulate microbial activity and facilitate microbial degradation of more refractory organic matter; therefore, dead zooplankton are expected to be an integral part of water column carbon source/sink dynamics in stratified lakes.

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Dissolved Organic Matter Molecular Composition in a Stratified Eutrophic Lake

AbstractDissolved organic matter (DOM) is an intermediate between organic carbon formed by primary producers and carbon dioxide (CO2) produced through respiration, making it a key component of the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems. Its composition influences the routes of mineralization. Here, we evaluate DOM composition as a function of time and depth in Lake Mendota, a highly productive eutrophic lake that stratifies in warm months and is located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations and optical properties are presented for 73 samples collected at a single location at varying depths within the water column from June to November. A subset of samples is analyzed by Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS) to investigate DOM composition at the molecular level. Temporally, increases in more oxidized formulas are observed in both the epilimnion and hypolimnion. At the surface, correlations between DOM formulas and both chlorophyll concentrations and light intensity show that photochemical reactions contribute to DOM oxidation. In the hypolimnion, redox conditions and interactions with sediments likely influence temporal compositional change. Our results show DOM composition varies with depth with more highly oxidized formulas identified deeper in the water column. However, DOM composition varies more temporally than by location within the water column. This work has implications for climate change as DOM photooxidation in lakes represents an understudied flux of CO2 to the atmosphere. Additionally, lake eutrophication is increasing due to warming temperatures and this data set yields detailed molecular information about DOM composition and processing in such lakes.

Disentangling the drivers of phytoplankton community composition in a heavily sediment-laden transcontinental river

Phytoplankton play a crucial role in energy flow and carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems; however, exploring the driving factors influencing phytoplankton, especially in heavily sediment-laden rivers, is challenging. We analyzed 704 samples from 44 sampling sites along the Yellow River to investigate the biogeographic, environmental, and anthropogenic impacts on the phytoplankton community composition. Using cluster analysis, we identified three different phytoplankton community compositions in Regions Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, which were consistent with the three primary changes in the water-surface slope across the three regions. The sampling results showed that the Bacillariophyta primarily consisted of Navicula, Cyclotella, Synedra, Fragilaria, Gyrosigma, Diatoma, and Asterionella. In addition, representation by Chlorophyta was dominated by Chlamydomonas, Pandorina, Closteriopsis, and Closterium, while Phormidium was the dominant Cyanophyta genus. The variation partitioning results indicated that spatial factors (geographic distance) were the most important determinants of phytoplankton community succession. Additionally, our results highlighted that the influence of spatial and climatic factors on the succession of the phytoplankton community structure was much greater than that of the water quality. Compared to that in the free-flowing river, the phytoplankton biomass in the impoundment was much higher, and the phytoplankton community was dominated by Dinophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanophyta, primarily because of anthropogenic impacts. Based on the composition and biomass of phytoplankton communities in different regions, the phytoplankton community composition in the Yellow River was found to be primarily influenced by the erosion of the watershed and the inflow of tributaries rather than by limited in situ algae growth.

Spatial variations in CO2 fluxes in a subtropical coastal reservoir of Southeast China were related to urbanization and land-use types

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from aquatic ecosystems are important components of the global carbon cycle, yet the CO2 emissions from coastal reservoirs, especially in developing countries where urbanization and rapid land use change occur, are still poorly understood. In this study, the spatiotemporal variations in CO2 concentrations and fluxes were investigated in Wenwusha Reservoir located in the southeast coast of China. Overall, the mean CO2 concentration and flux across the whole reservoir were 41.85 ± 2.03 µmol/L and 2.87 ± 0.29 mmol/m2/h, respectively, and the reservoir was a consistent net CO2 source over the entire year. The land use types and urbanization levels in the reservoir catchment significantly affected the input of exogenous carbon to water. The mean CO2 flux was much higher from waters adjacent to the urban land (5.05 ± 0.87 mmol/m2/hr) than other land use types. Sites with larger input of exogenous substance via sewage discharge and upstream runoff were often the hotspots of CO2 emission in the reservoir. Our results suggested that urbanization process, agricultural activities, and large input of exogenous carbon could result in large spatial heterogeneity of CO2 emissions and alter the CO2 biogeochemical cycling in coastal reservoirs. Further studies should characterize the diurnal variations, microbial mechanisms, and impact of meteorological conditions on reservoir CO2 emissions to expand our understanding of the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems.

Decomposition dynamics of two aquatic macrophytes: response of litter interaction with temperature and dissolved oxygen availability

The decomposition of a single macrophytes species may not represent entirely the carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems, as in the freshwater macrophyte-dominant environments several species grow and decay concomitantly. To assess the interaction of the two species in the decomposition process, the temporal variation of particulate organic carbon (POC) of Hedychium coronarium J. Konig, Typha domingensis Persoon and the mixed sample (50% of each species) was mathematically modeled. Kinetic models were used to verify the temperature and the availability of dissolved oxygen, as regulating factors in decomposition. The aerobic processes favored a faster decay when compared to anaerobic processes. The occurrence of two phases in decomposition was observed: (1) with a rapid mass loss (POCLS) and (2) with a slow degradation (POCR). During the aerobic decomposition, independently of variation in temperature, the effect was always antagonistic. However, under anaerobic conditions, the three types were observed (antagonistic, additive and synergic). The mixed detritus always displayed the highest Q10 coefficient. Modeling mixed detritus decomposition was a reliable predictive framework of litter decomposition at a ecosystemic scale, improving ecosystem response of carbon cycling feedback under an increasing temperature.

Fundamental drivers of dissolved organic matter composition across an Arctic effective precipitation gradient

AbstractThe standard model for aquatic ecosystems is to link hydrologic connectivity to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition and, ultimately, reactivity. Studies across effective precipitation gradients have been suggested as models for predicting how carbon cycling will change in Arctic aquatic ecosystems with projected drying (i.e., reduced hydrologic connectivity). To evaluate links between DOM dynamics and hydrologic connectivity, 41 stream samples from Greenland were analyzed across an effective precipitation gradient for DOM optical properties and elemental composition using ultrahigh‐resolution mass spectrometry. Sites with negative effective precipitation and decreased hydrologic connectivity exhibited elevated specific conductivity (SpC) and DOC concentrations as well as DOM composition indicative of decreased hydrologic connectivity, for example, lower aromaticity, assessed using carbon‐specific UV absorbance at 254 nm, decreased relative abundances of polyphenolic and condensed aromatic compounds, and increased relative abundances of highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds. Allochthonous inputs decreased as the summer progressed as exhibited by decreases in aromatic compounds. A decrease in molecular richness and N‐containing compounds coincided with the decrease in allochthonous inputs. DOC concentrations increased over the summer but more slowly than SpC, suggesting degradation processes outweighed combined evapoconcentration and production. The patterns in DOM composition suggest evapoconcentration and photodegradation are dominant controls. However, when hydrologic connectivity was high, regardless of effective precipitation, DOM reflected allochthonous sources such as snowmelt‐fed wetlands. These results highlight the challenges of modeling carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems across effective precipitation gradients, particularly those with strong seasonality and regional variability in hydrologic inputs.

Potentials and limitations of quantification of fungi in freshwater environments based on PLFA profiles

Aquatic fungi are increasingly recognized for their contribution to carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems, both as saprotrophs and parasites. Their quantification in mixed communities is crucial to assess their ecological significance but remains challenging. We characterized the phospholipid-derived fatty acid (PLFA) composition of fifteen aquatic fungal isolates from Chytridiomycota (chytrids) and Dikarya. Additionally, we identified PLFA patterns of chytrids infecting phytoplankton and their zoospores. PLFA composition of zoospores was highly similar among different taxa, but were distinct from their respective sporangial life-stage. Finally, we applied a fatty acid-based Bayesian mixed model (FASTAR) and tested its potential to quantify fungi in complex mixtures with bacteria and phytoplankton using PLFA profiles. While the quantification of chytrid biomass in low quantities was rather imprecise, the model predicted the contribution of filamentous fungi and other components with fair accuracy, supporting the suitability of this approach to quantify fungal biomass in aquatic environments. • PLFA patterns of fungi can be applied to quantify them in mixed aquatic communities. • Zoospores and sporangia of Chytridiomycota differ in their PLFA patterns. • PLFA patterns of phytoplankton infected by fungal parasites change significantly. • Quantifying aquatic fungi with a Bayesian mixed model based on PLFA is generally recommended. • Quantification of Chytridiomycota based on PLFA patterns remains difficult.

Influence of elevated CO2 on nitrification and denitrification in water bodies: A review.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 has imperceptible impacts on carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems. However, it remains a question how this process will impact nitrogen cycle that is naturally coupled with carbon cycle. The nitrification and denitrification are two critical processes in the nitrogen cycle. It is reasonable to expect that elevated atmospheric CO2 will influence both processes. We reviewed the previous literatures concerning the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the physico-chemical properties, nitrification, denitrification and nitrogen transformation in water bodies. The published results revealed that the elevated CO2 would reduce the water pH, increase CO2 and HCO3- concentrations, but with different effects on the nitrification and denitrification between eutrophic and oligotrophic water. Elevated atmospheric CO2 could inhibit nitrification and denitrification in oligotrophic water, thereby reduce N2O flux from water. The nitrification process in the eutrophic water bodies was also inhibited, but its denitrification might be promoted by the elevated CO2. In the eutrophic water bodies, there could be an increase of N2O flux when pH was maintained in the range of 7-9. These might eventually result in the accumulation of NH4+ and reduction of NO3- in water, producing an impact on the microbial diversity. Based on these reviews, we proposed some research gaps related to the relevant research fields as well as some scientific questions that is worth to be further explored. This review would be helpful to better understanding on how the greenhouse effect caused by the elevated atmospheric CO2 would affect nitrogen cycle in aquatic ecosystem.

Effects of zooplankton carcasses degradation on freshwater bacterial community composition and implications for carbon cycling.

Non-predatory mortality of zooplankton provides an abundant, yet, little studied source of high quality labile organic matter (LOM) in aquatic ecosystems. Using laboratory microcosms, we followed the decomposition of organic carbon of fresh 13 C-labelled Daphnia carcasses by natural bacterioplankton. The experimental setup comprised blank microcosms, that is, artificial lake water without any organic matter additions (B), and microcosms either amended with natural humic matter (H), fresh Daphnia carcasses (D) or both, that is, humic matter and Daphnia carcasses (HD). Most of the carcass carbon was consumed and respired by the bacterial community within 15 days of incubation. A shift in the bacterial community composition shaped by labile carcass carbon and by humic matter was observed. Nevertheless, we did not observe a quantitative change in humic matter degradation by heterotrophic bacteria in the presence of LOM derived from carcasses. However, carcasses were the main factor driving the bacterial community composition suggesting that the presence of large quantities of dead zooplankton might affect the carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Our results imply that organic matter derived from zooplankton carcasses is efficiently remineralized by a highly specific bacterial community, but does not interfere with the bacterial turnover of more refractory humic matter.

Autonomous Optofluidic Chemical Analyzers for Marine Applications: Insights from the Submersible Autonomous Moored Instruments (SAMI) for pH and pCO2

The commercial availability of inexpensive fiber optics and small volume pumps in the early 1990’s provided the components necessary for the successful development of low power, low reagent consumption, autonomous optofluidic analyzers for marine applications. It was evident that to achieve calibration-free performance, reagent-based sensors would require frequent renewal of the reagent by pumping the reagent from an impermeable, inert reservoir to the sensing interface. Pumping also enabled measurement of a spectral blank further enhancing accuracy and stability. The first instrument that was developed based on this strategy, the Submersible Autonomous Moored Instrument for CO2 (SAMI-CO2), uses a pH indicator for measurement of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). Because the pH indicator gives an optical response, the instrument requires an optofluidic design where the indicator is pumped into a gas permeable membrane and then to an optical cell for analysis. The pH indicator is periodically flushed from the optical cell by using a valve to switch from the pH indicator to a blank solution. Because of the small volume and low power light source, over 8,500 measurements can be obtained with a ~500 mL reagent bag and 8 alkaline D-cell battery pack. The primary drawback is that the design is more complex compared to the single-ended electrode or optode that is envisioned as the ideal sensor. The SAMI technology has subsequently been used for the successful development of autonomous pH and total alkalinity analyzers. In this manuscript, we will discuss the pros and cons of the SAMI pCO2 and pH optofluidic technology and highlight some past data sets and applications for studying the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems.

Influence of three kinds of carbon source on community structure of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in Lake Ulansuhai

好氧不产氧光合细菌(AAPB)营光合异养,在水体碳循环中起着重要作用.但是,碳源对AAPB群落结构的影响尚不明确.本文基于16S rDNA和光合反应中心合成中的关键基因——pufM基因,运用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术,比较分析了在微生物分离培养中常用的3种碳源(葡萄糖、丙酮酸钠、酵母提取物)对乌梁素海水体总细菌及AAPB群落结构的影响.结果表明,不同碳源诱导7~21 d后,水体总细菌群落丰富度及多样性指数均有不同程度的提升,AAPB群落则呈现先升后降的趋势.3种碳源中,丙酮酸钠添加后对总细菌及AAPB菌群的丰富度和多样性的提升效果最好.测序及系统发育结果表明,乌梁素海水体经诱导后新检测到了一些原环境中未发现的菌属,一些具有特殊碳代谢能力的菌属丰度得到了提升.本研究为充分认识和理解AAPB的生态学作用和意义,及其富集、分离和培养提供了基础依据.;Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (AAPB) are photoheterotrophic microbes and play a significant role in carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems. However, the effect of carbon source on the community structure of AAPB remains unknown presently. This study determined the influence of three carbon sources, glucose, sodium pyruvate and yeast extract common used in microbe isolation and culture on total bacteria and AAPB community structures of Lake Ulansuhai, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis based on the genes of 16S rDNA and pufM of photosynthetic reaction center respectively. The results showed that diversity and richness of total bacteria community had been enhanced while those of AAPB community been improved previous to 14 days then decreased, after inducing by different carbon sources for 7-21days. Among the three carbon sources, sodium pyruvate best increased the richness and diversity of both total bacteria and AAPB. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that some taxonomic strains were discovered which failed to be determined before induction by carbon source and moreover the abundance of some strains harboring specific carbon metabolism were greatly elevated. These results may promote the appreciation for the function and significance of AAPB and provide the basis for their enrichment, isolation and culture.

A hypothesis linking chrysophyte microfossils to lake carbon dynamics on ecological and evolutionary time scales

Chrysophyte algae are common in the plankton of oligotrophic lakes and produce a rich microfossil record of siliceous cysts and scales. Paleolimnological investigations and phytoplankton records suggest that chrysophyte populations are increasing in a wide range of boreal and arctic lakes, ultimately representing one component of the limnological response to contemporary global changes. However, the exact mechanisms responsible for widespread increases of chrysophyte populations remain elusive. We hypothesize that recent increases in chrysophytes are related to rising pCO2 in lakes, in part because these algae lack carbon concentrating mechanisms and therefore rely on diffusive entry of CO2 to Rubisco during photosynthesis. We assessed the abundance of modern sediment chrysophyte microfossils in relation to summer CO2 relative saturation in 46 New England (USA) lakes, revealing significant positive relationships for both cysts and scales. These observations imply that correlations between chrysophytes and limnological conditions including low pH, oligotrophy, and elevated dissolved organic matter are ultimately underscored by the high pCO2 associated with these conditions. In lakes where chrysophyte populations have expanded over recent decades, we infer that increasingly heterotrophic conditions with respect to CO2 have stimulated production by these organisms. This linkage is supported by the remarkable abundance and diversity of chrysophytes from middle Eocene lake sediments, deposited under atmospheric CO2 concentrations significantly higher than present. The Eocene assemblages suggest that any chrysophyte-CO2 connection borne out of results from modern and sub-recent sediments also operated on evolutionary time scales, and thus the absence of carbon concentrating mechanisms appears to be an ancient feature within the group. Chrysophyte microfossils may potentially provide important insights concerning the temporal dynamics of carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

Enhanced dissolved organic carbon production in aquatic ecosystems in response to elevated atmospheric CO2

Although aquatic ecosystems are a major carbon reservoir, how their carbon dynamics will respond to increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 is not well understood. The availability of essential nutrients has the potential to modify carbon fluxes under elevated CO2 by altering carbon processing and storage in the biota. Here, we describe a semi-continuous culture experiment with natural phytoplankton and bacteria assemblages designed to investigate (1) how carbon dynamics in aquatic ecosystems respond to continuously elevated atmospheric CO2, and (2) whether carbon fluxes resulting from elevated CO2 are modified by changes in inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Our results showed that elevated CO2 led to significant increases in photosynthetic carbon uptake, despite a decrease in the algal chlorophyll a concentrations and no significant change in total algal biovolume. This enhancement of inorganic carbon uptake was accompanied by a significant increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) production. Concurrent increases in the C/N and C/P ratios of dissolved organic matter also suggested that DOC stability increased. Nutrient availability, especially nitrogen availability, had strong effects on inorganic carbon uptake and biomass carbon pools. In contrast, CO2-enhanced DOC production was not significantly affected by varying concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Our study underscores the importance of DOC as a potential carbon sink in aquatic ecosystems. The observed responses to changes in CO2 and nutrient availability could have important implications for long-term carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems, and highlight the potential buffering capacity of aquatic ecosystems to future environmental change.

Spectrofluorometric characterization of dissolved organic matter for indication of precursor organic material and aromaticity

We studied the fluorescence properties of fulvic acids isolated from streams and rivers receiving predominantly terrestrial sources of organic material and from lakes with microbial sources of organic material. Microbially derived fulvic acids have fluorophores with a more sharply defined emission peak occurring at lower wavelengths than fluorophores in terrestrially derived fulvic acids. We show that the ratio of the emission intensity at a wavelength of 450 nm to that at 500 nm, obtained with an excitation of 370 nm, can serve as a simple index to distinguish sources of isolated aquatic fulvic acids. In our study, this index has a value of ~1.9 for microbially derived fulvic acids and a value of ~1.4 for terrestrially derived fulvic acids. Fulvic acids isolated from four large rivers in the United States have fluorescence index values of 1.4–1.5, consistent with predominantly terrestrial sources. For fulvic acid samples isolated from a river, lakes, and groundwaters in a forested watershed, the fluorescence index varied in a manner suggesting different sources for the seepage and streamfed lakes. Furthermore, we identified these distinctive fluorophores in filtered whole water samples from lakes in a desert oasis in Antarctica and in filtered whole water samples collected during snowmelt from a Rocky Mountain stream. The fluorescence index measurement in filtered whole water samples in field studies may augment the interpretation of dissolved organic carbon sources for understanding carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

Use of the [(14)C]leucine incorporation technique to measure bacterial production in river sediments and the epiphyton.

Bacterial production is a key parameter for the understanding of carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems, yet it remains difficult to measure in many aquatic habitats. We therefore tested the applicability of the [(14)C]leucine incorporation technique for the measurement of bulk bacterial production in various habitats of a lowland river ecosystem. To evaluate the method, we determined (i) extraction efficiencies of bacterial protein from the sediments, (ii) substrate saturation of leucine in sediments, the biofilms on aquatic plants (epiphyton), and the pelagic zone, (iii) bacterial activities at different leucine concentrations, (iv) specificity of leucine uptake by bacteria, and (v) the effect of the incubation technique (perfused-core incubation versus slurry incubation) on leucine incorporation into protein. Bacterial protein was best extracted from sediments and precipitated by hot trichloroacetic acid treatment following ultrasonication. For epiphyton, an alkaline-extraction procedure was most efficient. Leucine incorporation saturation occurred at 1 microM in epiphyton and 100 nM in the pelagic zone. Saturation curves in sediments were difficult to model but showed the first level of leucine saturation at 50 microM. Increased uptake at higher leucine concentrations could be partly attributed to eukaryotes. Addition of micromolar concentrations of leucine did not enhance bacterial electron transport activity or DNA replication activity. Similar rates of leucine incorporation into protein calculated for whole sediment cores were observed after slurry and perfused-core incubations, but the rates exhibited strong vertical gradients after the core incubation. We conclude that the leucine incorporation method can measure bacterial production in a wide range of aquatic habitats, including fluvial sediments, if substrate saturation and isotope dilution are determined.