Decrease In Microbial Activity Research Articles

Calibration and validation of an empirical approach to model soil CO2 efflux in a deciduous forest

Soil respiration (Rs) was monitored periodically throughout 2001 and 2003 in a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) stand located in the Belgian Campine region. An empirical model originally developed for a neighboring pine stand, that accounts for variation in tempera- ture, soil moisture, rewetting of the surface layers by rain during dry periods and seasonal fresh litter inputs, was fitted to the data. The model explained 92% and 94% of the temporal variability in Rs during 2001 and 2003 respectively. Monthly measurements of Rs can suffice to build a robust empirical model if temperature is the main controlling factor. However, during the driest period of the year a weekly sampling schedule was needed to capture the combined effect of temperature, soil water content (SWC) and the short-term effect of rewetting played. Although the model was developed for gap-filling purposes it also showed a remarkable predictive ability for this site and these conditions. Annual emissions of carbon (C) estimated with the model were significantly higher in 2001 than in 2003 (7.8 and 5.9 ton C ha � 1 year � 1 , respectively). The severe drought during most of the growing season in 2003 caused a high fine root mortality and a decrease in microbial activity, and was likely the main responsible factor of the almost 2 ton C ha � 1 year � 1 differences in Rs between both years. Pulses of Rs during drying/rewetting cycles accounted for a substantial fraction of the total flux, especially during the driest year. Finally, our results show that quality of the substrate may play an important role in both the intensity of the rewetting pulses of CO2 and the seasonality of Rs.

Increasing drought decreases phosphorus availability in an evergreen Mediterranean forest

Mediterranean ecosystems are water-limited and frequently also nutrient-limited. We aimed to investigate the effects of increasing drought, as predicted by GCM and eco-physiological models for the next decades, on the P cycle and P plant availability in a Mediterranean forest. We conducted a field experiment in a mature evergreen oak forest, establishing four drought-treatment plots and four control plots (150 m 2 each). After three years, the runoff and rainfall exclusion reduced an overall 22% the soil moisture, and the runoff exclusion alone reduced it 10%. The reduction of 22% in soil moisture produced a decrease of 40% of the accumulated aboveground plant P content, above all because there was a smaller increase in aerial biomass. The plant leaf P content increased by 100 ± 40 mg m −2 in the control plots, whereas it decreased by 40 ± 40 mg m −2 in the drought plots. The soil Po-NaHCO3 (organic labile-P fraction) increased by 25% in consonance with the increase in litterfall, while the inorganic labile-P fraction decreased in relation to the organic labile-P fraction up to 48%, indicating a decrease in microbial activity. Thus, after just three years of slight drought, a clear trend towards an accumulation of P in the soil and towards a decrease of P in the stand biomass was observed. The P accumulation in the soil in the drought plots was mainly in forms that were not directly available to plants. These indirect effects of drought including the decrease in plant P availability, may become a serious constraint for plant growth and therefore may have a serious effect on ecosystem performance.

Influence of bacterivorous nematodes on the decomposition of cordgrass

The influence of bacterivorous nematodes ( Diplolaimelloides meyli, Diplolaimelloides oschei, Diplolaimella dievengatensis, Panagrolaimus paetzoldi) on the decomposition of a macrophyte ( Spartina anglica) in an aquatic environment was investigated by using laboratory microcosm experiments. Several earlier studies have shown enhancement of the decomposition process in the presence of nematodes, but nematode species-specific effects were never tested. In this study four bacterivorous nematode species were applied separately to microcosms to investigate such species-specific influences. No stimulation of the decomposition process nor of the microbial community was observed in the presence of the nematodes, both were highest in the absence of nematodes. However, clear differences were found between nematode treatments. P. paetzoldi reached much higher numbers than the other species, causing a decrease in microbial activity, probably due to (over)grazing. Remarkably this low microbial activity did not result in a slow-down of the decomposition process compared to the other nematode treatments, raising the question whether P. paetzoldi might be able to directly assimilate detrital compounds. Other nematode species reached much lower densities, but nevertheless an influence on the decomposition process was observed. However, this experiment does not support the view that bacterivorous nematodes enhance decomposition rate. The experimental results show that in nematode communities the use of functional groups is inadequate for biodiversity studies. The four nematode species used in this study belong to the same functional group, but are clearly not functionally redundant since they all have a different influence on the cordgrass decomposition. This suggests that the relationship between nematode species diversity and ecosystem functioning may be idiosyncratic.

Combining theory and experiment to understand effects of inorganic nitrogen on litter decomposition

It has been long recognised that mineral elements, and nitrogen in particular, play an important role in determining the rate at which organic matter is decomposed. The magnitude and even the sign of the effects are, however, not universal and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this paper, an explanation for the observed decreases in decomposition/CO2 evolution rates when inorganic nitrogen increases is proposed by combining a theoretical approach with the results of a 6-year litter decomposition-forest nitrogen fertilisation experiment. Our results show that the major causes of observed changes in decomposition rate after nitrogen fertilisation are increases in decomposer efficiency, more rapid formation of recalcitrant material, and, although less pronounced, decreased growth rate of decomposers. This gives a more precise description of how inorganic nitrogen modifies decomposition rates than the previously loosely used "decrease in microbial activity". The long-term consequences for soil carbon storage differ widely depending on which factor is changed; stores are much more sensitive to changes in decomposer efficiency and/or rate of formation of recalcitrant material than to changes in decomposer growth rate.

Combining theory and experiment to understand effects of inorganic nitrogen on litter decomposition.

It has been long recognised that mineral elements, and nitrogen in particular, play an important role in determining the rate at which organic matter is decomposed. The magnitude and even the sign of the effects are, however, not universal and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this paper, an explanation for the observed decreases in decomposition/CO2 evolution rates when inorganic nitrogen increases is proposed by combining a theoretical approach with the results of a 6-year litter decomposition-forest nitrogen fertilisation experiment. Our results show that the major causes of observed changes in decomposition rate after nitrogen fertilisation are increases in decomposer efficiency, more rapid formation of recalcitrant material, and, although less pronounced, decreased growth rate of decomposers. This gives a more precise description of how inorganic nitrogen modifies decomposition rates than the previously loosely used "decrease in microbial activity". The long-term consequences for soil carbon storage differ widely depending on which factor is changed; stores are much more sensitive to changes in decomposer efficiency and/or rate of formation of recalcitrant material than to changes in decomposer growth rate.

Digestion Activity of Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated from Ash-Amended Sewage Sludge Compost

Previous experiments had shown thatco-composting sewage sludge with coal fly ash resultedin a decrease in microbial activity during thethermophilic phase. Therefore, attempts were made toutilize isolated dominant thermophilic bacteria fromash-amended sludge compost to enhance thedecomposition of organic matter in digestion testsinvolving mixtures of sewage sludge and coal fly ash.Cultures of three Bacillus species, i.e., B. brevis, B. coagulans, and B.licheniformis were inoculated into sewage sludgeamended with 25% coal fly ash at cell densitiesranging from 105 to 107 CFU g-1 drysludge, and were incubated for 10 days in aqueoussuspension. The digestion test showed that aninoculation level of ≥106 CFU g-1dry sludge was suitable for achieving an acceptablerate of digestion of ash-sludge mixture, as indicatedby the significantly higher evolution of CO2compared to the control receiving no inoculation.Weight loss and contents of soluble organic carbon,protein, and amino acids were lower in ash-sludgemixture with bacterial inoculation. Hence, all thethree bacilli were able to decompose the organicmatter in ash-sludge mixture faster than that of thecontrol. Among the three bacilli, B. brevis wasless efficient in decomposing the organic matter inthe ash-sludge mixture than the other two bacilli atan inoculation rate of 106 CFU g-1 drysludge, but no significant difference was noted amongthe three bacilli at an inoculation rate of 107CFU g-1 dry sludge. It can be concluded that thethree bacilli all exhibited the ability to improve thedecomposition of organic matter in ash-sludge compost.

The effects of drying and re-flooding on the sediment and soil nutrient dynamics of lowland river-floodplain systems: a synthesis

Lowland river–floodplain systems are characterized by a high degree of variability in both the frequency and period of inundation of various parts of the floodplain. Such variation should profoundly affect the processes underlying nutrient transformations in these systems. This paper explores the effect of various hydrologic regimes on nutrient cycles. Partial drying of wet (previously inundated) sediments will result in an increased sediment affinity for phosphorus and will produce a zone for nitrification coupled with denitrification. Hence, partial drying may reduce the availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Conversely, complete desiccation of sediments may lead to the death of bacteria (and subsequent mineralization of N and P), a decrease in the affinity of P for iron minerals, a decrease in microbial activity and a cessation of all anaerobic bacterial processes (e.g. denitrification). Colonization of exposed sediments by terrestrial plants may lead to N and P moving from the sediments to plant biomass. Re-wetting of desiccated soils and sediments will result in an initial flush of available N and P (which can be incorporated into bacterial or macrophyte biomass), coupled with an increase in bacterial activity, particularly nitrification. Inundation of floodplain soils will result in the liberation of C, N and P from leaf litter and floodplain soils. This will result in an increase in productivity, which ultimately may lead to the onset of anoxia in floodplain soils and, consequently, an increase in anoxic bacterial processes such as P release and denitrification. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Phthalate esters inhibit microbial activity in aquatic sediments

Sediments were exposed to five concentrations of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and the effects on sediments oxygen uptake were assessed. The sediments were taken from an eutrophic lake and consisted of ‘undisturbed’ sediment with overlying lake water. The community respiration in the sediment was inhibited by DEHP. The oxygen uptake from uncontaminated sediment was significantly higher than from sediments containing DEHP. The decrease in microbial activity in contaminated sediment cores was positively correlated to increasing levels of DEHP in the sediment. At concentrations of 25 μg DEHP g −1 and higher the sediment respiration consisted of chemical, rather than biological, oxygen consumption.

Acid deposition: Effects of sulphuric acid at pH 3 on chemical and biochemical properties of bracken litter

The effects of increased acid deposition on some biochemical and chemical properties of bracken litter overlying a podzolic soil contained in monolith lysimeters were investigated. Pairs of lysimeters each received 1500 mm yr −1 of “rain” consisting either of distilled water or pH 3.0 sulphuric acid applied evenly over a 5-yr period. The acid-treatment resulted in a marked acidification of the litter, associated with accelerated leaching of Ca 2+, Mg 2+, K + and Mn 2+. Acid treatment also increased the concentration of extractable Al 3+ in the litter. The biochemical changes observed in the litter as a consequence of acidification included decreases of 33% in ATP content and 54% in respiration rate. Significant reductions in the mineralization rates of urea, glucose and acetate, and in the activities of 4-nitrophenylphosphatase, β-N- acetyl- d-glucosaminidase , exo-1,4,β- d-xylosidase and peroxidase were also observed in the acid-treated litter. The acid-treated litter also contained slightly less total N, ammonium-N and total P, and slightly more residual hexose carbohydrate than the control litter. The effects observed were consistent with a decrease in microbial activity associated with litter acidification and were reflected in a small (5.5%) but significant ( P < 0.05) decrease in litter decomposition. Acid treatment decreased the ATP content of the mineral soil by about 13% in the 3 cm immediately beneath the litter, but below this depth no significant difference was observed.

Relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture

Microbial activity is affected by changes in the availability of soil moisture. We examined the relationship between microbial activity and water potential in a silt loam soil during four successive drying and rewetting cycles. Microbial activity was inferred from the rate of CO 2 accumulating in a sealed flask containing the soil sample and the CO 2 respired was measured using gas chromatography. Thermocouple hygrometry was used to monitor the water potential by burying a thermocouple in the soil sample in the flask. Initial treatment by drying on pressure plates brought samples of the test soil to six different water potentials in the range -0.005 to -1.5MPa. Water potential and soil respiration were simultaneously measured while these six soil samples slowly dried by evaporation and were remoistened four times. The results were consistent with a log-linear relationship between water potential and microbial activity as long as activity was not limited by substrate availability. This relationship appeared to hold for the range of water potentials from −0.01 to −8.5 MPa. Even at −0.01 MPa (wet soil) a decrease in water potential from −0.01 to −0.02 MPa caused a 10% decrease in microbial activity. Rewetting the soil caused a large and rapid increase in the respiration rate. There was up to a 40-fold increase in microbial activity for a short period when the change in water potential following rewetting was greater than 5 MPa. Differences in microbial activity between the wetter and drier soil treatments following rewetting to the original water potentials are discussed in terms of the availability of energy substrate.

Adenosine 5′-triphosphate and adenylate energy charge in sheep digesta

SUMMARYThe concentrations of adenosine 5′-mono-, -di-, and -triphosphate (AMP, ADP and ATP) in sheep digesta were measured by a new bioluminescence method. ATP in rumen digesta varied with time after feeding and diet, and most markedly according to the size of the population of ciliate protozoa: the ATP content of rumen digesta from ciliate-free sheep was less than a quarter of that of faunated animals receiving the same diet. The adenylate energy charge (EC) (ATP + ADP/[ATP + ADP + AMP]), an indicator of metabolic activity, was high (0·77–0·94) in all rumen samples, but did not appear to be as useful a measurement of activity as ATP alone. As digesta passed along the alimentary tract, the ATP content decreased progressively, from 0·9–2·2 μmol/g dry matter in the rumen to 0·5–1·0μmol/g in the abomasum and duodenum, 07middot;03–0·08 μmol/g in ileal digesta and 0·01–0·02 μmol/g in faeces. EC also tended to decrease, further emphasizing the large decrease in microbial activity which occurs in the hindgut.