Transfer Of Organic Matter Research Articles

Changes in the particulate organic carbon pump efficiency since the Last Glacial Maximum in the northwestern Philippine Sea

Changes in bottom and pore water oxygenation over glacial – interglacial cycles have influenced the ocean's capacity to store particulate organic carbon regardless of its source, either the marine primary productivity or the continent-to-ocean transfer of terrestrial organic matter. In the Philippine Sea, east off Taiwan, despite being currently oligotrophic, the enhanced East Asian Winter Monsoon during the Last Glacial Maximum and the Heinrich Stadial 1 might have altered the nutrient budget in surface waters by providing nutrients from the Eurasian loess dust and deepening the vertical mixing, bringing nutrients from the nutrient-enriched Kuroshio Current subsurface waters to the surface. During the deglaciation, previous studies also suggest an overall weakening of the marine biological pump during the Heinrich Stadial 1, and the rise in sea level is expected to have led to a global significant decline in the ability of continents to bury their particulate organic carbon in marine sediments. However, changes in the continent-ocean transfer of terrestrial organic matter and on the marine biological pump around Taiwan remain poorly constrained.In the present study, we have thus aimed to reconstruct bottom – pore water oxygenation, past marine primary productivity and continental-ocean transfer of terrestrial particulate organic carbon to the ocean since the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, in order to better constrain the ability of marine sediments to capture atmospheric carbon over the past 20,000 years. To this end, sediment core MD18-3523 has been recovered from a levee of Hoping Canyon, north-east of Taiwan, in the Ryukyu forearc basin. The reconstructions were made possible by the application of multivariate statistics and transfer functions on benthic foraminiferal assemblages, by the measurement of total organic carbon concentration and by the investigation of chemical element ratios obtained from X-ray fluorescence (XRF).We observed a transition across the Bølling–Allerød and the Younger Dryas from suboxic-dysoxic bottom – pore waters during Heinrich Stadial 1 to oxic-suboxic during the Holocene, and revealed an increase in marine primary productivity during Heinrich Stadial 1 in all probability due to intensified East Asian Winter Monsoon winds. We have also identified periods of enhanced terrestrial particulate organic carbon transfer to the ocean driven by short-lived extreme events, most likely typhoons, during the Bølling–Allerød, at the beginning of the Early Holocene and the end of the Late Holocene, when the typhoon dynamics affecting Taiwan were intensified. Overall, these findings suggest an enhanced marine biological pump during the Heinrich Stadial 1 and an efficient carbon turbidity pump during the Bølling–Allerød, the Early and Late Holocene, contrasting with the western coast of Taiwan.

Preliminary studies of selected Lemna species on the oxygen production potential in relation to some ecological factors.

Dissolved oxygen is fundamental for chemical and biochemical processes occurring in natural waters and critical for the life of aquatic organisms. Many organisms are responsible for altering organic matter and oxygen transfers across ecosystem or habitat boundaries and, thus, engineering the oxygen balance of the system. Due to such Lemna features as small size, simple structure, vegetative reproduction and rapid growth, as well as frequent mass occurrence in the form of thick mats, they make them very effective in oxygenating water. The research was undertaken to assess the impact of various species of duckweed (L. minor and L. trisulca) on dissolved oxygen content and detritus production in water and the role of ecological factors (light, atmospheric pressure, conductivity, and temperature) in this process. For this purpose, experiments were carried out with combinations of L. minor and L. trisulca. On this basis, the content of oxygen dissolved in water was determined depending on the growth of duckweed. Linear regression models were developed to assess the dynamics of changes in oxygen content and, consequently, organic matter produced by the Lemna. The research showed that the presence of L. trisulca causes an increase in dissolved oxygen content in water. It was also shown that an increase in atmospheric pressure had a positive effect on the ability of duckweed to produce oxygen, regardless of its type. The negative correlation between conductivity and water oxygenation, obtained in conditions of limited light access, allows us to assume that higher water conductivity limits oxygen production by all combinations of duckweeds when the light supply is low. Based on the developed models, it was shown that the highest increase in organic matter would be observed in the case of mixed duckweed and the lowest in the presence of the L. minor species, regardless of light conditions. Moreover, it was shown that pleustophytes have different heat capacities, and L. trisulca has the highest ability to accumulate heat in water for the tested duckweed combinations. The provided knowledge may help determine the good habitat conditions of duckweed, indicating its role in purifying water reservoirs as an effect of producing organic matter and shaping oxygen conditions with the participation of various Lemna species.

Enhanced degradation and methane production of food waste anaerobic digestate using an integrated system of anaerobic digestion and microbial electrolysis cells for long-term operation.

The integrated system of anaerobic digestion and microbial electrolysis cells (AD-MEC) was a novel approach to enhance the degradation of food waste anaerobic digestate and recover methane. Through long-term operation, the start-up method, organic loading, and methane production mechanism of the digestate have been investigated. At an organic loading rate of 4000mg/L, AD-MEC increased methane production by 3-4 times and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) removal by 20.3% compared with anaerobic digestion (AD). The abundance of bacteria Fastidiosipila and Geobacter, which participated in the acid degradation and direct electron transfer in the AD-MEC, increased dramatically compared to that in the AD. The dominant methanogenic archaea in the AD-MEC and AD were Methanobacterium (44.4-56.3%) and Methanocalculus (70.05%), respectively. Geobacter and Methanobacterium were dominant in the AD-MEC by direct electron transfer of organic matter into synthetic methane intermediates. AD-MEC showed a perfect SCOD removal efficiency of the digestate, while methane as clean energy was obtained. Therefore, AD-MEC was a promising technology for deep energy transformation from digestate.

Drying and fragmentation drive the dynamics of resources, consumers and ecosystem functions across aquatic‐terrestrial habitats in a river network

Rivers form meta‐ecosystems, in which disturbance and connectivity control biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and their interactions across the river network, but also across connected instream and riparian ecosystems. This aquatic–terrestrial linkage is modified by drying, a disturbance that also naturally fragments river networks and thereby modifies organism dispersal and organic matter (OM) transfers across the river network. However, little evidence of the effects of drying on river network‐scale OM cycling exists. Here, we assessed the effects of fragmentation by drying at the river meta‐ecosystem scale by monitoring leaf resource stocks, invertebrate communities and decomposition rates, across three seasons and 20 sites, in the instream and riparian habitats of a river network naturally fragmented by drying. Although instream leaf resource quantity and quality increased, leaf‐shredder invertebrate richness and abundance decreased with flow intermittence. Decomposition was, however, mainly driven by network‐scale fragmentation and connectivity. Shredder richness and invertebrate‐driven decomposition both peaked at sites with intermediate amounts of intermittent reaches upstream, suggesting that upstream drying can promote the biodiversity and functioning of downstream ecosystems. Shredder richness, however, had a negative effect on decomposition in perennial sites, likely due to interspecific competition. Leaf quantity, invertebrate communities and invertebrate‐driven decomposition became more similar between instream and riparian habitats as drying frequency increased, likely due to homogenization of environmental conditions between both habitats as the river dried. Our study demonstrates the paramount effects of drying on the dynamics of resources, communities and ecosystem functioning in rivers and presents evidence of one of the first network‐scale examples of the co‐drivers of ecosystem functions across terrestrial–aquatic boundaries.

Permafrost degradation and soil erosion as drivers of greenhouse gas emissions from tundra ponds

Climate change poses a serious threat to permafrost integrity, with expected warmer winters and increased precipitation, both raising permafrost temperatures and active layer thickness. Under ice-rich conditions, this can lead to increased thermokarst activity and a consequential transfer of soil organic matter to tundra ponds. Although these ponds are known as hotspots for CO2 and CH4 emissions, the dominant carbon sources for the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are still poorly studied, leading to uncertainty about their positive feedback to climate warming. This study investigates the potential for lateral thermo-erosion to cause increased GHG emissions from small and shallow tundra ponds found in Arctic ice-wedge polygonal landscapes. Detailed mapping of fine-scale erosive features revealed their strong impact on pond limnological characteristics. In addition to increasing organic matter inputs, providing carbon to heterotrophic microorganisms responsible for GHG production, thermokarst soil erosion also increases shore instability and water turbidity, limiting the establishment of aquatic vegetation—conditions that greatly increase GHG emissions from these aquatic systems. Ponds with more than 40% of the shoreline affected by lateral erosion experienced significantly higher rates of GHG emissions (∼1200 mmol CO2 m−2 yr−1 and ∼250 mmol CH4 m−2 yr−1) compared to ponds with no active shore erosion (∼30 mmol m−2 yr−1 for both GHG). Although most GHGs emitted as CO2 and CH4 had a modern radiocarbon signature, source apportionment models implied an increased importance of terrestrial carbon being emitted from ponds with erosive shorelines. If primary producers are unable to overcome the limitations associated with permafrost disturbances, this contribution of older carbon stocks may become more significant with rising permafrost temperatures.

An Overview of Leaf Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics of Multipurpose Tree Species

The multipurpose tree species is a plant species that is purposefully grown so as to provide two or more than two products and their leaf litter decomposition in our ecosystems has a play major role in nutrient dynamics in the atmosphere. From this review paper examined different leaf litter decomposition assessing methods in which litter bag method is most suitable methods to determination of decomposition rate. Abiotic factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, moisture, evaporation rate and soil physical factors such as soil pH, texture directly correlated to soil microbial such as algae, actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi communities to stimulating action for the breakdown of leaf litter composition (like- cellulose, hemicelluloses, tannin, lignin) and transfer of organic matter to nutrients, release of CO2 to the environment etc.

Comparison of the transformation of organic matter flux through a raised bog and a blanket bog

AbstractThis study has proposed that organic matter transfer and transformation into and through a peatland is dominated by preferential loss of carbohydrates and the retention of lignin-like molecules. Here we used elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis to analyse the biomass, litter, peat soil profile, particulate organic matter, and dissolved organic matter fluxes sampled from a continental raised bog in comparison a maritime blanket bog. The macromolecular composition and thermodynamic analysis showed that in the raised bog there had been little or no transformation of the organic matter and the accumulation was rapid with comparatively little transformation with only 13% loss of cellulose by 1 m depth compared to 92% removal of cellulosic material in the blanket bog. The lack of transformation is reflected in a difference in long term carbon accumulation rates between raised and blanket bog sites. We propose that raised bogs, with their lack of a stream outfall, have high stable water tables that mean the pore water become thermodynamically closed and reactions cease higher in the peat profile than in a blanket bog where sloping sites mean a frequent flushing of pore water and discharge of water leading to fluctuating water tables, flushing of reaction products and pore spaces remaining open.

Assessing the diversity of plankton-associated prokaryotes along a size-fraction gradient: A methodological evaluation

Marine free-living (FL) and plankton-associated prokaryotes (plankton-microbiota) are at the basis of trophic webs and play crucial roles in the transfer and cycling of nutrients, organic matter, and contaminants. Different ecological niches exist along the plankton size fraction gradient. Despite its relevant ecological role, the plankton-microbiota has rarely been investigated with a sufficient level of size-fraction resolution, and it can be challenging to study because of overwhelming eukaryotic DNA. Here we compared the prokaryotic diversity obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing from six plankton size fractions (from FL to mesoplankton), through three DNA recovery methods: direct extraction, desorption pretreatment, enrichment post-treatment. The plankton microbiota differed strongly according to the plankton size-fraction and methodological approach. Prokaryotic taxa specific to each size fraction, and methodology used, were identified. Vibrionaceae were over-represented by cell desorption pretreatment, while prokaryotic DNA enrichment had taxon-specific effects, indicating that direct DNA extraction was the most appropriate method.

Transitions from coral to sponge-dominated states alter trophodynamics in associated coral reef fish assemblages

1. Coral reefs are extremely productive ecosystems, but widespread changes to benthic community structure resulting from anthropogenic impacts are likely to impact the transfer of organic matter between trophic levels, altering trophodynamics and functional diversity. 2. We used stable isotope analysis to investigate differences in resource availability, niche width and trophic diversity of seven coral reef fish species representing key functional feeding groups on a sponge-dominated reef and an adjacent, coral-dominated reef. 3. Four out of seven fish species had wider isotopic niches at the sponge-dominated reef compared to the coral-dominated reef, including the obligate corallivore. The proximity of the isotopic niche of the obligate corallivore to the isotopic niche of the detritivore suggests that the obligate corallivore supplemented its diet with detritus at the sponge-dominated reef. 4. Fish sampled at the sponge-dominated reef had a significantly lower mean trophic position, used a lower range of resources (based on δ13C range) and obtained more carbon from benthic production than at the coral-dominated reef. Trophic diversity was lower and functional redundancy higher at the sponge-dominated reef, suggesting that fish on the sponge reef had more similar diets to each other than at the coral-dominated site. 5. Observed differences in trophic structure between the two sites are likely due to fewer organic matter pathways supporting secondary production at the sponge-dominated reef, suggesting that transitions sponge-dominated systems will reduce community stability by eroding the potential for niche partitioning and species co-existence.

Benthic macroinvertebrates community in relation to environmental variables of the Cimandiri River and Estuary, Indonesia

Benthic macroinvertebrates, the community that lives in the river and coastal, play important role in the transfer of organic materials. This study aimed to determine the diversity of it in Cimandiri river and estuary. Also, to understand the relation between the community with environmental variables. The research was conducted in September and November 2020, which taken from 10 locations at Cimandiri waters. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected using the Ekman grab sampler with three replications. Moreover, physicochemical parameters of water and sediment were measured. In general, about 35 taxa belonging to six Classes, including Gastropod, Bivalve, Insect, Malacostraca, Clitellata, and Polychaeta have been found during sampling. Furthermore, Stenelmis sp., one of Insects was predominant benthic invertebrates in the river, whereas Tarebia granifera predominated inhabit the estuary. Margalef richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the river area were about 2.69 and 1.47, while in the estuary was around 1.59 and 0.87. Canonical Correspondence Analysis shows that the number of individuals of 25 taxa tended to correlate with water temperature, TDS, salinity, total of nitrate (TN), total of phosphorus (TP), and total of organic matters (TOM). While, 10 other taxa correlated with pH, turbidity, dissolved of oxygen (DO), ammonia, and the total of suspended solids (TSS).

Влияние биогумуса на основе отходов птицеводства на физико-химические свойства дерново-подзолистых почв и выращиваемых растений

Introduction. The current phase of mass production in the poultry products sector creates large volumes of waste in the form of chicken manure. This waste contributes to the negative environmental impact on the neighboring territories. To address the issue of storing chicken manure, several methods have been developed, of which incomplete combustion and composting with gradual decay are two major ones. The application of both technologies results in the production of fertilizers such as mineral biochar and organic humus. The role of these fertilizers is particularly important for regions that face the challenge of insufficient fertility of the zonal soil type, a concern that is common in some mountainous regions. The goal of the study is to develop a method and analyze the results of its application to successfully solve the problem of excess chicken manure by producing a substance that improves the physicochemical properties of sod-podzolic soils and increases their biological efficiency. Materials and methods. The laboratory facilities of the Ecosystem Research Center at St. Petersburg Mining University were used in this study. The physicochemical properties of soils and plants were analyzed based on a standard method for determining the organic content of soils using gravimetric, thermogravimetric, and optical emission spectrometry methods. Results and discussion. Given the relatively low fertility of sod-podzolic soils, which are common in mixed forest regions, the article proposes a modified version of composting as a priority for processing poultry manure. This method accelerates the biochemical processes of manure decay by using a specially bred subspecies of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The article provides a detailed description of this method for processing poultry manure, which results in the production of an organic fertilizer. To evaluate the effect of the biofertilizer produced by the proposed method on the physicochemical properties of sod-podzolic soils and the plants grown on them, we conducted an experiment involving the addition of the biofertilizer to the soil, followed by sowing ryegrass and spring onion seeds, followed by an analysis of soil and plant samples. The results of the experiment showed that the presence of the biofertilizer in the soil increases its moisture content, improves moisture retention, and reduces ash content. The addition of the biofertilizer significantly increases the contents of humus, organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, also promoting the removal of heavy metals. The use of the proposed biofertilizer enhances the uptake of carbon, nitrogen, and potassium into plants. The proposed method is adapted to residential area conditions and can be used by agricultural companies in various regions of Russia. A future line of research includes experiments to find the rational biofertilizer application rates for growing more common vegetable and grain crops in soils of different types. Conclusions. The study has developed a comprehensive method for investigating the processes of transfer of organic matter and chemical elements from the proposed biofertilizer into soils and plants. This method includes laboratory tests of the physicochemical properties of soils before and after the experiment and those of fertilizers and plants after the experiment. The results demonstrate that the presence of the biofertilizer in dry sod-podzolic soils increases their fertility and improves the physicochemical properties of both the soils and the plants. Resume. The proposed method is adapted to residential area conditions and can be used by agricultural companies in various regions of Russia. A future line of research includes experiments to find the rational biofertilizer application rates for growing more common vegetable and grain crops in soils of different types.

Organic Matter Transfer Caused by Concentration Difference Creates TC4 Surfaces with Switchable Wettability.

In this paper, low-cost electrochemical processing and heat treatment were adopted to fabricate titanium alloy surfaces with switchable wettability. Meanwhile, surface structure, roughness, and oxide content were regulated by electrochemical processing voltage. The effects of surface structure, roughness, oxide content, temperature, and time of heat treatment on switchable wettability were investigated. In addition to suitable structural conditions, surface chemistry is also crucial to preparing metal surfaces with switchable wettability. The surface chemistry of electrochemical processed surfaces was changed by organic matter transfer during heat treatment. In a certain voltage range, suitable surface structure, high roughness, and surface oxide content by high voltage contribute to the organic matter transfer. In a certain range of heating temperature and time, the concentration difference of organic matter is the premise of organic matter transfer. Concurrently, the higher the temperature, the faster the speed of organic matter transfer. Different from other relevant studies, the hypothesis that the concentration difference promotes organic matter transfer is proposed and verified by interesting experiments. The difference concentration of organic matter between the environment and the samples, as well as between the two samples, was created to promote organic matter transfer. Therefore, the electrochemical processed surfaces with switchable wettability were obtained by organic matter transfer in two ways.

A metabarcoding analysis of the wrackbed microbiome indicates a phylogeographic break along the North Sea-Baltic Sea transition zone.

Sandy beaches are biogeochemical hotspots that bridge marine and terrestrial ecosystems via the transfer of organic matter, such as seaweed (termed wrack). A keystone of this unique ecosystem is the microbial community, which helps to degrade wrack and re-mineralize nutrients. However, little is known about this community. Here, we characterize the wrackbed microbiome as well as the microbiome of a primary consumer, the seaweed fly Coelopa frigida, and examine how they change along one of the most studied ecological gradients in the world, the transition from the marine North Sea to the brackish Baltic Sea. We found that polysaccharide degraders dominated both microbiomes, but there were still consistent differences between wrackbed and fly samples. Furthermore, we observed a shift in both microbial communities and functionality between the North and Baltic Sea driven by changes in the frequency of different groups of known polysaccharide degraders. We hypothesize that microbes were selected for their abilities to degrade different polysaccharides corresponding to a shift in polysaccharide content in the different seaweed communities. Our results reveal the complexities of both the wrackbed microbial community, with different groups specialized to different roles, and the cascading trophic consequences of shifts in the near shore algal community.

Increased soil carbon storage through plant diversity strengthens with time and extends into the subsoil.

Soils are important for ecosystem functioning and service provisioning. Soil communities and their functions, in turn, are strongly promoted by plant diversity, and such positive effects strengthen with time. However, plant diversity effects on soil organic matter have mostly been investigated in the topsoil, and there are only very few long-term studies. Thus, it remains unclear if plant diversity effects strengthen with time and to which depth these effects extend. Here, we repeatedly sampled soil to 1 m depth in a long-term grassland biodiversity experiment. We investigated how plant diversity impacted soil organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations and stocks and their stable isotopes 13 C and 15 N, as well as how these effects changed after 5, 10, and 14 years. We found that higher plant diversity increased carbon and nitrogen storage in the topsoil since the establishment of the experiment. Stable isotopes revealed that these increases were associated with new plant-derived inputs, resulting in less processed and less decomposed soil organic matter. In subsoils, mainly the presence of specific plant functional groups drove organic matter dynamics. For example, the presence of deep-rooting tall herbs decreased carbon concentrations, most probably through stimulating soil organic matter decomposition. Moreover, plant diversity effects on soil organic matter became stronger in topsoil over time and reached subsoil layers, while the effects of specific plant functional groups in subsoil progressively diminished over time. Our results indicate that after changing the soil system the pathways of organic matter transfer to the subsoil need time to establish. In our grassland system, organic matter storage in subsoils was driven by the redistribution of already stored soil organic matter from the topsoil to deeper soil layers, for example, via bioturbation or dissolved organic matter. Therefore, managing plant diversity may, thus, have significant implications for subsoil carbon storage and other critical ecosystem services.

Dark Side of Ammonium Nitrogen in Paddy Soil with Low Organic Matter: Stimulation of Microbial As(V) Reduction and As(III) Transfer from Soil to Rice Grains.

The bioavailability of arsenic (As) is influenced by ammonium (NH4+-N) fertilization, but the underlying mechanisms controlling As transformation in soil-rice systems are still not fully understood. The effects of two NH4+-N fertilizers, urea and NH4HCO3, on the transformation of As in a paddy soil with low organic matter content and transfer in rice plants were investigated. Treatments with urea and NH4HCO3 significantly increased arsenite (As(III)) concentration in porewater, bioavailable As in rhizosphere soil, and the relative abundance of the As(V) respiratory reductase gene (arrA) and As(III) methyltransferase gene (arsM). Furthermore, the relative expression of As transporter genes in rice roots, such as OsLsi1, OsLsi2, and OsLsi3, was upregulated, and the translocation efficiency of As(III) from rice roots to brown rice was promoted. Subsequently, As(III) accumulation in brown rice significantly increased. Therefore, attention should be paid to As-contaminated paddy fields with NH4+-N fertilization.

АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ ПЕРИОДИЧЕСКИ ПЕРЕСЫХАЮЩИХ АКВАТОРИЙ В КОНТЕКСТЕ УГЛЕРОДНОГО ЦИКЛА (НА ПРИМЕРЕ БАССЕЙНА НИЖНЕГО ДОНА)

Investigations were carried out in the reservoirs of the Don delta and Western Manych to study the biogeochemical cycles of elements, mainly carbon, in the transition zones between land and water. The main physical and geographical processes that determine the supply, transfer and transformation of organic matter and the connectivity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are identified. A decrease of the surface area, based on a comparison of remote sensing data in ArcGIS for the period 1985–2021, of the water surface of reservoirs in average of 15– 16 % was established (in the Don delta, mainly due to the destruction of man-made ponds, in Manych – due to a decrease in the water level). It is possible to slow down biogeochemical processes in drained areas and change one type of process to another as a result of the absence of a hydrological flow. A shift of geochemical barriers towards the river during surges and an increase of mineralized underground runoff during negative surges was recorded under the influence of surge phenomena in the Don Delta. For the system of reservoirs of the Western Manych, the presence of salinity gradients between its individual parts was noted. Investigations have established that the mixing zones of fresh and salt water – biogeochemical “hot spots”, are characterized by a contrasting chemical composition and very different concentrations of organic and suspended matter. A tendency to a significant change in the structure of the upper part of the profile of alluvial soils of the river delta was noted with the continuing low water in the Lower Don. Areas with varying degrees of manifestation of soil-forming processes, as well as the main natural and anthropogenic factors that control these processes, have been identified.

Microplankton life histories revealed by holographic microscopy and deep learning.

The marine microbial food web plays a central role in the global carbon cycle. However, our mechanistic understanding of the ocean is biased toward its larger constituents, while rates and biomass fluxes in the microbial food web are mainly inferred from indirect measurements and ensemble averages. Yet, resolution at the level of the individual microplankton is required to advance our understanding of the microbial food web. Here, we demonstrate that, by combining holographic microscopy with deep learning, we can follow microplanktons throughout their lifespan, continuously measuring their three-dimensional position and dry mass. The deep-learning algorithms circumvent the computationally intensive processing of holographic data and allow rapid measurements over extended time periods. This permits us to reliably estimate growth rates, both in terms of dry mass increase and cell divisions, as well as to measure trophic interactions between species such as predation events. The individual resolution provides information about selectivity, individual feeding rates, and handling times for individual microplanktons. The method is particularly useful to detail the rates and routes of organic matter transfer in micro-zooplankton, the most important and least known group of primary consumers in the oceans. Studying individual interactions in idealized small systems provides insights that help us understand microbial food webs and ultimately larger-scale processes. We exemplify this by detailed descriptions of micro-zooplankton feeding events, cell divisions, and long-term monitoring of single cells from division to division.

Effect of modified kaolin conditioning sludge on organic matter properties

This paper studied the dewatering performance of modified kaolin conditioned sludge, and focused on the molecular composition and transformation of extracellular biological organic matter (EBOM) and supernatant dissolved organic matter (DOM) during the conditioning process. The results showed that the sludge dewatering performance was significantly improved after conditioning with modified kaolin. Under the dosage of 20% DS (200 g conditioner was added to each 1 kg sludge dry solids), the specific resistance to filtration (SRF) of sludge was reduced by 85.05%, the water content of sludge cake was decreased to 66.70%, and the time to filter (TTF) reduction rate was increased to 71.35%. The modified kaolin can broke the structure of sludge floc, which caused the transfer of organic matter from the solid phase to the liquid phase, thus promoting the release of bound water. In this process, the hydrophilic fraction in the inner layer of the sludge floc was released and enhanced the aromaticity of supernatant DOM. The transfer of proteins of the acidic fractions and polysaccharides of each fraction in the sludge EBOM to the supernatant DOM occurred. The reduction of hydrophobic and transitional proteins, hydrophobic and neutral humic acid-like substances, soluble microbial byproducts-like and fulvic acid-like materials in the sludge EBOM facilitated the breakage of the sludge floc.

Contrasting particle fluxes and composition in a submarine canyon affected by natural sediment transport events and bottom trawling

Submarine canyons are important conduits of sediment and organic matter to deep-sea environments, mainly during high-energy natural events such as storms, river floods, or dense shelf water cascading, but also due to human activities such as bottom trawling. The contributions of natural and trawling-induced sediment and organic matter inputs into Palamós Canyon (NW Mediterranean) were assessed from three instrumented moorings deployed in the axis and northern flank of the canyon covering the trawling closure (February) and the trawling season (March-December) of 2017. During the trawling closure, large sediment fluxes with high contents of labile marine organic matter content were registered in the canyon axis, associated to storm resuspension on the shelf that coincided with dense shelf water cascading and high surface water productivity. Although no major natural sediment transport events occurred during the following spring and summer months, near-daily trawling-induced sediment gravity flows were recorded in the northern flank mooring, placed directly below a fishing ground, which sometimes reached the canyon axis. Compositionally, the organic matter transferred by trawling resuspension was impoverished in the most labile biomarkers (fatty acids, amino acids, and dicarboxylic acids) and had a high degree of degradation, which was similar to surficial sediment from the adjacent fishing ground. Trawling resuspended particles masked the transfer of organic matter enriched in labile biomarkers that naturally occur during the quiescent summer months. Overall, bottom trawling enhances the magnitude of particle fluxes while modifying its organic carbon composition, increasing the re-exposure and transfer of degraded organic carbon and potentially affecting benthic communities that rely on the arrival of fresh organic matter.

The Characteristics of Lipid Biomarkers from the Abyssal and Hadal Sediments of the Yap Trench and the Influence of V-Shape Topography

Lipid biomarkers from deep-sea sediments have been observed in several studies, but little is known about their occurrence in trench system sediments. Here, we determined the concentrations of lipid biomarkers (fatty acids and neutral lipids) in sediments from the north Yap Trench. Our results showed that short-chain (C12–20) saturated fatty acids (SFAs) contributed more than (C12:1–23:1) monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and (C16:3–24:4) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Most fatty acids (FAs) suggest that bacteria and algae were the main contributors to marine organic matter. In contrast, terrestrial organic matter (OM) was a minor contributor to long carbon chain fatty acids greater than C20. On the other side, the observed neutral lipids such as alkanes (C14–C27), alkanols (C12–C20), alkenes (C17:1–C26:1), phytol and sterol (C27–29) indicate that phytoplankton and bacteria were the main contributors of organic materials in the sediments, and the carbon chain of neutral lipids C20–29 offering the sources of terrestrial organic matter. The extremely depleted δ13C values of fatty acids give the sources of organic carbon in the sediments from bacteria, algae, and methane-related microbes. This study is important for understanding the biogeochemical activities in deep-sea environments, particularly in the abyss and hadal zones. It will be helpful to understand the sources, transfer, and deposition of organic matter in marine trenches.