Decomposition of Dissolved Carbohydrates Derived from Diatoms of Lake Yuno-ko

The aerobic decomposition of freshwater phytoplankton was monitored over a 10 day period to determine rates of production and microbial utilization of total dissolved organic carbon and dissolved carbohydrates. Following molecular weight fractionation of the total dissolved organic and carbohydrate carbon produced, it was found that each component contained a highly labile as well as a partially refractory fraction. Specific decomposition rate constants were determined for both fractions. Molecular weight retention characteristics of the ultrafilter used were also evaluated.     

Integrated management systems and N fertilization: effect on soil organic matter in rice-rapeseed rotation

Aims

Understanding the effects of long-term crop management on soil organic matter (SOM) is necessary to improve the soil quality and sustainability of agroecosystems.

Method

The present 7-year long-term field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated management systems and N fertilization on SOM fractions and carbon management index (CMI). Two integrated soil-crop system management (ISSM-1 and ISSM-2, combined with improved cultivation pattern, water management and no-tillage) were compared with a traditional farming system at three nitrogen (N) fertilization rates (0, 150 and 225 kg N ha^?1).

Results

Management systems had greater effects on SOM and its fractions than did N fertilization. Compared with traditional farming practice, the integrated management systems increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 13 % and total nitrogen (TN) by 10 % (averaged over N levels) after 7 years. Integrated management systems were more effective in increasing labile SOM fractions and CMI as compared to traditional farming practice. SOC, TN and dissolved organic matter in nitrogen increased with N fertilization rates. Nonetheless, N addition decreased other labile fractions: particulate organic matter, dissolved organic matter in carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen and potassium permanganate-oxidizable carbon.

Conclusions

We conclude that integrated management systems increased total SOM, labile fractions and CMI, effectively improved soil quality in rice-rapeseed rotations. Appropriate N fertilization (N150) resulted in higher SOC and TN. Though N application increased dissolved organic matter in nitrogen, it was prone to decrease most of the other labile SOM fractions, especially under higher N rate (N250), implying the decline of SOM quality.     

长白山原始阔叶红松林土壤有机质组分小尺度空间异质性

土壤有机质(SOM)对于维持生态系统生产力具有非常重要的意义,有机质的组成、空间分布和空间关联性是影响和控制诸多生态系统过程的重要因素。应用地统计学方法,对长白山原始阔叶红松林局部尺度内0—20 cm土壤有机质与活性有机质的空间异质性进行了研究,并通过交叉半方差分析探讨了二者之间的相关性。研究结果表明:(1)总体上来说,土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、颗粒态有机碳(POC)和颗粒态有机氮(PON)空间异质性较小;而土壤微生物量碳(MBC)、微生物量氮(MBN)和表层(0—10 cm)溶解性有机碳(DOC)的空间异质性较大;(2)SOC、TN、MBC、DOC、POC和PON随着深度的增加空间自相关性增加;而溶解性有机氮(DON)的空间自相关性随深度的增加变化不大;(3)SOC与TN在表层和下层(10—20 cm)均存在空间上的正相关关系;(4)SOC、TN在表层和下层分别与MBC、MBN、DOC、DON和POC呈空间上的正相关性,但是与PON之间的空间相关关系较差;(5)不同土层深度的土壤活性有机质之间的相关关系存在差异。在表层,除POC,PON外,其余土壤活性有机质组分在空间上两两相关;但是随着土壤深度的增加,活性有机质变量之间在空间上两两相关。研究结果表明土壤有机质组分在长白山原始阔叶红松林小尺度内存在不同空间异质性和空间关联性,这为人们更好的理解森林生态系统功能(如土壤养分循环)提供了重要的理论依据。     

Composition,Dynamics, and Fate of Leached Dissolved Organic Matter in Terrestrial Ecosystems: Results from a Decomposition Experiment

Fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) are an important vector for the movement of carbon (C) and nutrients both within and between ecosystems. However, although DOM fluxes from throughfall and through litterfall can be large, little is known about the fate of DOM leached from plant canopies, or from the litter layer into the soil horizon. In this study, our objectives were to determine the importance of plant-litter leachate as a vehicle for DOM movement, and to track DOM decomposition [including dissolve organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) fractions], as well as DOM chemical and isotopic dynamics, during a long-term laboratory incubation experiment using fresh leaves and litter from several ecosystem types. The water-extractable fraction of organic C was high for all five plant species, as was the biodegradable fraction; in most cases, more than 70% of the initial DOM was decomposed in the first 10 days of the experiment. The chemical composition of the DOM changed as decomposition proceeded, with humic (hydrophobic) fractions becoming relatively more abundant than nonhumic (hydrophilic) fractions over time. However, in spite of proportional changes in humic and nonhumic fractions over time, our data suggest that both fractions are readily decomposed in the absence of physicochemical reactions with soil surfaces. Our data also showed no changes in the ¹³C signature of DOM during decomposition, suggesting that isotopic fractionation during DOM uptake is not a significant process. These results suggest that soil microorganisms preferentially decompose more labile organic molecules in the DOM pool, which also tend to be isotopically heavier than more recalcitrant DOM fractions. We believe that the interaction between DOM decomposition dynamics and soil sorption processes contribute to the ¹³C enrichment of soil organic matter commonly observed with depth in soil profiles. published online 2004     

Labile and Recalcitrant Organic Matter Utilization by River Biofilm Under Increasing Water Temperature

Microbial biofilms in rivers contribute to the decomposition of the available organic matter which typically shows changes in composition and bioavailability due to their origin, seasonality, and watershed characteristics. In the context of global warming, enhanced biofilm organic matter decomposition would be expected but this effect could be specific when either a labile or a recalcitrant organic matter source would be available. A laboratory experiment was performed to mimic the effect of the predicted increase in river water temperature (+4?°C above an ambient temperature) on the microbial biofilm under differential organic matter sources. The biofilm microbial community responded to higher water temperature by increasing bacterial cell number, respiratory activity (electron transport system) and microbial extracellular enzymes (extracellular enzyme activity). At higher temperature, the phenol oxidase enzyme explained a large fraction of respiratory activity variation suggesting an enhanced microbial use of degradation products from humic substances. The decomposition of hemicellulose (β-xylosidase activity) seemed to be also favored by warmer conditions. However, at ambient temperature, the enzymes highly responsible for respiration activity variation were β-glucosidase and leu-aminopeptidase, suggesting an enhanced microbial use of polysaccharides and peptides degradation products. The addition of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC; dipeptide plus cellobiose) caused a further augmentation of heterotrophic biomass and respiratory activity. The changes in the fluorescence index and the ratio Abs(250)/total DOC indicated that higher temperature accelerated the rates of DOC degradation. The experiment showed that the more bioavailable organic matter was rapidly cycled irrespective of higher temperature while degradation of recalcitrant substances was enhanced by warming. Thus, pulses of carbon at higher water temperature might have consequences for DOC processing.     

亚热带米槠林不同更新方式对土壤可溶性有机质降解性的影响

可溶性有机质(DOM)的生物降解性影响着土壤有机质的存留和释放,对深入认识森林土壤养分循环意义重大。为探究森林更新对土壤DOM降解特征的影响,选取亚热带地区米槠天然林(NF)、米槠次生林(SF)和米槠人工促进天然更新林(AR)土壤DOM溶液为研究对象,进行室内降解(42 d)试验。结果表明: 1)3种林分土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)的降解率和易降解DOC的比例均为SF>AR>NF;可溶性有机氮(DON)和微生物生物量碳(MBC)是显著影响易降解DOC比例的因子;2)难降解组分占3种林分土壤DOC的大部分(72.3%～94.6%),其周转时间长,有利于稳定土壤有机质(SOC)的形成;3)土壤DOM最初的腐殖化指数(HIX_em)会影响易降解DOC的周转时间。DOM光谱结构随降解过程呈现动态变化,说明DOM中易降解组分被消耗完后,微生物会转而降解芳香类和疏水性物质以获取碳源。综上,米槠天然林更新为次生林和人促林后增加了易降解DOC的比例,提高了土壤DOM生物可降解性,不利于SOC的积累。     

采伐剩余物不同处理方式对杉木幼林土壤有机氮组分的影响

采伐剩余物不同处理方式会改变输入土壤的有机质数量和质量,直接或间接影响土壤的养分组成与含量。氮作为重要的土壤养分之一,其有机氮组分对采伐剩余物不同处理方式的响应仍不明确。本研究在福建省三明市格氏栲自然保护区内,对50多年生的杉木成熟林皆伐后的采伐剩余物分别进行清除、保留、火烧处理,并种植杉木5年时,采用H₂SO₄水解法对不同土层(0～10、10～20 cm)土壤有机氮组分及其影响因素进行研究。结果表明: 保留处理显著提高了土壤有机氮及活性组分的含量。0～10 cm土层中,保留处理土壤有机氮含量(3.36 g·kg^-1)分别是清除处理、火烧处理的1.5和1.3倍,活性氮Ⅰ、Ⅱ含量也以保留处理最高;10～20 cm土层中,保留处理土壤有机氮和活性氮Ⅱ含量(2.20、0.73 g·kg^-1)也显著高于清除和火烧处理,而且保留处理的活性氮指数Ⅱ(33.9%)显著高于火烧处理(26.1%)。两个土层均以保留处理的总碳、可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮含量,以及微生物生物量碳、氮最高。与清除处理相比,保留处理显著提高0～10 cm土层细菌(革兰氏阳性菌、阴性菌)含量;10～20 cm土层中,保留处理的真菌含量最高,放线菌含量最低。相关分析表明,土壤有机氮及活性组分与土壤总碳、可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮、微生物生物量及土壤细菌(革兰氏阳性菌、阴性菌)、真菌呈显著正相关,与放线菌呈显著负相关。保留处理有利于提高土壤有机氮及活性氮组分含量,改善土壤生化性质,对土壤微生物群落组成具有积极的影响,是维持土壤肥力和提高森林生产力的有效经营管理措施。     

Humic substance mineralization in a tropical oxbow lake (São Paulo,Brazil)

We evaluated the mineralization rates of humic substances in Infernão oxbow lake (State of São Paulo, Brazil). Experiments were conducted under aerobic and anaerobic conditions using fulvic acid and humic acid from four sources: Scirpus cubensis and Cabomba piauhyensis leachate submitted to a 120-day degradation process, sediment, and dissolved organic matter from the lake water. A fixed amount of substrate was added to 450 ml of water from Infernão lake, filtered over glass wool. After adding substrate, the flasks were incubated at 21.0°C under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The dissolved organic carbon was monitored during 95 days. The results were fitted to first-order kinetics model, which pointed to one labile and one refractory fraction. The refractory fractions predominated, ranging from 71.4 to 84.3% for fulvic acid and from 73.4 to 85.0% for humic acid. Mineralization rates of the labile fractions of dissolved organic carbon were higher under aerobic than anaerobic conditions, while the converse was true for the refractory fractions.     

长期不同施肥措施对双季稻田土壤活性有机碳组分和水解酶活性的影响

施肥是改善土壤质量、提高土壤肥力和影响土壤微生物多样性的关键措施.为了探明南方双季稻区长期不同施肥处理下稻田土壤活性有机碳组分和水解酶活性的变化特征,本研究以34年大田定位试验为平台,设置化肥(MF)、秸秆还田+化肥(RF)、30％有机肥+70％化肥(OM)3个处理,并以无肥处理为对照(CK),分析了长期不同施肥处理下...     

Microbial transformation of labile dissolved organic matter into humic-like matter in seawater

Abstract Microbial transformation of labile, low molecular weight dissolved organic matter (DOM) into dissolved humic matter (DHM) was studied in seawater. Surface water samples were amended with [¹⁴C into ¹⁴CO₂, TO¹⁴C (total organic ¹⁴C), and PO¹⁴C (particulate organic ¹⁴C), was measured over time in confined samples. The humic and non-humic fractions of DO¹⁴C (dissolved organic ¹⁴C) were separated according to a common operational definition of DHM based on adsorption on XAD-8 macroporous resin. Both TO¹⁴C and non-humic DO¹⁴C decreased during the experiments. However, ¹⁴C-labelled DHM increased during the first week of the incubations, to a level where it comprised 15% of the TO¹⁴C remaining in the samples, or 3% of the initially added ¹⁴C. Towards the end of experiments (ca 70 days), the humic fraction of DO¹⁴C gradually approached the background level of poisoned control samples. Provided that the XAD-8 operational definition of DHM is accepted, this study indicates that humic matter may be formed in seawater within days from labile monomers such as glucose.     

Organic matter fraction and pools of phosphorus as indicators of the impact of land use in the Amazonian periphery

The unsustainable use of the soil of the deforested area at the Amazonian border is one of the greatest threats to the rainforest. Among the causes of land degradation in the humid tropics are phosphorus depletion (P), the decrease of soil organic matter (SOM) and the loss of basic cations. The aim of this study was determine the effects of different land uses on the dynamics of soil organic matter and phosphorus, to determine whether and how changes in the P and SOM can be used to assess the degree of land degradation in the humid tropics and whether the use of ecological systems can lessen or mitigate this degradation. Five systems were chosen according to potential use in the region: pasture of 30 years; no-tillage with 5 years of rice–maize rotations; no-tillage in alley cropping systems of 10 years; a newly cleared area; and 20 years of undisturbed secondary forest. Each field was sampled in a “W” pattern, to collect the soil samples from the chosen systems, prior to the chemical analyses. The SOM was separated by physical soil fractionation. The soil P fractionation was performed. All of the soil samples showed a very low pH range. The potential acidity was high under the alley cropping system, with more intensive and continuous use. All of the more labile fractions of organic matter decreased with the continuous use of soil in the alley cropping system. Therefore under alley cropping, most of the P (approximately 95%) was found in an inorganic form, and approximately 60% was found in the less labile fractions. The pasture and secondary forest showed higher contents of the labile fractions of organic matter and organic P. Higher correlations of organic P were found with the silt and clay fractions of organic matter. The results indicate that the fractions of P and organic matter are important indicators to assess changes in the degree of land degradation in the humid tropics. These results indicate also that the intensive and continuous use of annual crops in the soils of the humid tropics must be considered as posing a high risk to the sustainability of the agrosystems, mainly because of the increase of the active and potential acidity, the decrease of the labile organic matter and the depletion of the pools of organic P, leading to land degradation.     

Bioavailability and composition of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a near coastal catchment of south-western Australia

The bioavailability and composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were examined in 10 major sub-catchments of the Swan-Canning estuary, which bisects the city of Perth, in south-western Australia. Catchments contain a mix of forest, agriculture, and urban-dominated land-use, with the degree of development increasing near the city center. We incubated water samples from the 10 sub-catchments for 14 days at 25°C, and measured changes in DOC and DON and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). A greater proportion of DON (4–44%) was decomposed compared to DOC (1–17%). Both agricultural and urban catchments had high proportions of bioavailable DOC and DON, but overall DOC and DON losses were greatest in urban catchments. Using resin isolation techniques, we found that DOC was concentrated in the hydrophobic (humic) fraction, whereas DON had both hydrophobic and hydrophilic (non-humic) fractions. Hydrophobic DOC content was positively related to DOC decomposition. In contrast, DON decomposition was highly correlated with hydrophilic DON content and inversely related to the hydrophilic DOC/DON ratio, indicating a labile fraction of DON from non-humic sources. Taken together, these relationships suggest that bioavailable DOC may be supplied in part from terrestrial plant material, but bioavailable DON is likely to be from highly labile sources, possibly autochthonous or anthropogenic. Overall, labile DON was greater than initial DIN concentration at seven of ten sites and was even dominant in highly developed catchments. This study highlights the importance of organic N in urbanizing coastal catchments that, in addition to DIN, may serve as a readily available source of N for in-stream and estuarine production.     

胶州湾滨海湿地枯落物分解对土壤活性有机碳含量及其三维荧光特性的影响

通过室内试验模拟胶州湾滨海湿地碱蓬、芦苇、互花米草枯落物的分解过程,测定土壤活性有机碳(可溶性有机碳、微生物生物量碳)含量变化,并利用三维荧光技术对可溶性有机碳(DOC)进行光谱分析.结果表明: 土壤活性有机碳含量呈先增加后降低最终趋于稳定的变化趋势;不同枯落物类型和添加方式对土壤活性有机碳的影响不同,表现为碱蓬＞互花米草＞芦苇,且原状混合＞表面覆盖;光谱分析表明,分解过程各三维荧光光谱的荧光峰数量、荧光中心位置和荧光强度都存在一定差异,添加枯落物后土壤未发现类酪氨酸峰;芳香类蛋白物质占比最高,腐殖质类物质次之.枯落物分解是以微生物分解作用为主导、枯落物性质为本质要素、多重因子综合作用的结果,其对提高土壤活性有机碳含量、增强土壤碳库的稳定性具有促进作用;该过程通过改变DOC的结构和化学组分,提高其在土壤中的迁移转化能力,增强生物可降解性和可利用性,促进微生物内源DOC的产生,加快湿地土壤碳循环.     

Kinetic pathways for the anaerobic decomposition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ludwigia inclinata</Emphasis>

This study is aimed at using kinetic modeling to investigate the yield of mineralization products from anaerobic decomposition of the aquatic macrophyte Ludwigia inclinata. The initial hypothesis was that the decay of different fractions of detritus and the kinetics of gases productions are both positively correlated to temperature. The plants and water samples were collected from a tropical oxbow lake; the anaerobic decomposition was described using incubations maintained at controlled temperatures. The methane and carbon dioxide productions were determined daily by gas chromatography. The mass loss of detritus owing to leaching and chemical oxidation was also measured, with the results being used to develop a mathematical (kinetic) model considering the heterogeneity of the resource and three mineralization pathways: (i) oxidation of the labile particulate organic carbon; (ii) formation of dissolved organic carbon leached from the detritus, and subsequent oxidation of those compounds; and (iii) oxidation of refractory particulate organic carbon (RPOC). The temperature did not affect the leaching rate constant or the mineralization of labile and dissolved fractions. On the other hand, the mineralization of RPOC was improved with increasing temperatures. The yield of CO₂ formation was higher at 20.1°C and decreased with increasing temperatures. The methanogenesis was significantly affected by the temperature; it abbreviated the beginning of the process and increased the CH₄ yield. Conversely as hypothesized, the results suggest that the increase in temperature improved the decay rates of RPOC, but did not affect the leaching process and the subsequent leachate oxidation. Furthermore, the rising temperatures had positive correlation with methanogenesis and negative with CO₂ production. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

Lability of organic carbon in lakes of different trophic status

1. We used first‐order kinetic parameters of biological oxygen demand (BOD), the constant of aerobic decomposition (k) and the asymptotic value of BOD (BOD_ult), to characterise the lability of organic carbon pools in six lakes of different trophic state: L. Naroch, L. Miastro and L. Batorino (Belarus), L. Kinneret (Israel), L. Ladoga (Russia) and L. Mendota (U.S.A.). The relative contributions of labile and refractory organic carbon fractions to the pool of total organic carbon (TOC) in these lakes were quantified. We also determined the amounts of labile organic carbon within the dissolved and particulate TOC pools in the three Belarus lakes. 2. Mean annual chlorophyll concentrations (used as a proxy for lake trophic state) ranged from 2.3 to 50.6 μg L⁻¹, labile organic carbon (OC_L = 0.3BOD_ult) from 0.75 to 2.95 mg C L⁻¹ and k from 0.044 to 0.14 day⁻¹. 3. Our data showed that there were greater concentrations of OC_L but lower k values in more productive lakes. 4. In all cases, the DOC fraction dominated the TOC pool. OC_L was a minor component of the TOC pool averaging about 20%, irrespective of lake trophic state. 5. In all the lakes, most (c. 85%) of the DOC pool was refractory, corresponding with published data based on measurements of bacterial production and DOC depletion. In contrast, a larger fraction (27–55%) of the particulate organic carbon (POC) pool was labile. The relative amount of POC in the TOC pool tended to increase with increasing lake productivity. 6. Long‐term BOD incubations can be valuable in quantifying the rates of breakdown of the combined particulate and dissolved organic carbon pools and in characterising the relative proportions of the labile and recalcitrant fractions of these pools. If verified from a larger number of lakes our results could have important general implications.     

General Model of Microbial Growth and Decomposition in Aquatic Ecosystems

A model capable of simulating freely suspended and attached decomposers, particulate organic matter, labile and refractory dissolved organic matter, inorganic nitrogen, and phosphate in the open-water portion of lakes is presented. Examples are given showing the utility of the model when coupled to the whole-ecosystem model CLEANER.     

Soil Phosphorus Fractionation during Forest Development on Landslide Scars in the Luquillo Mountains,Puerto Rico1

Mineral soils from a chronosequence of landslide scars ranging in age from 1 to more than 55 years in a subtropical montane rain forest of eastern Puerto Rico were used to determine the rate at which labile P capital recovers during primary succession. Nine organic and inorganic soil P fractions were measured using the Hedley sequential extraction procedure. Deep soil cores (9 m) from a nearby site were also analyzed to determine the distribution of P fractions below the solum. Litterfall P was measured for two years in the landslide scars to estimate allochthonous litter P inputs, and published precipitation data were used to estimate annual atmospheric inputs of P to the recovering forests. In the upper solum (0–10 cm), organic matter increased with landslide age, as did resin‐Pi, labile P (defined here as resin‐Pi + HCO₃‐Pi + HCO₃‐Po) and total organic P. Occluded P decreased with increasing landslide age. No significant changes in P concentrations or pools were observed in 10 to 35 or in 35 to 60 cm depth intervals across the chronosequence. Labile soil P increased to approximately two‐thirds of the pre‐disturbance levels in the oldest landslide scar (>55 yr). Thus, plants, their associated microflora/fauna, and P inputs from off‐site substantially altered the distribution of soil P fractions during forest recovery. Across the chronosequence, the increase in labile P accumulated in soil and biomass appeared to be greater than the estimated allochthonous inputs from litter and precipitation, indicating that as the forest developed, some occluded P may have been released for use by soil biota. Resin‐Pi and labile P were correlated with soil organic matter content, suggesting, as in other highly weathered soils, organic matter accumulation and turnover are important in maintaining labile P pools. Primary mineral P (apatite) was scarce, even in deep soil cores.     

The management of populations of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in acid-infertile soils of a savanna ecosystem

Topsoil stockpiled for 4 years resulted in an accumulation of NH₄-N at depths of 1m or more in mound, as measured by an ammonia gas-sensing electrode. When leached with water these soils were also found to contain high concentrations of dissolved organic C below 1m. Both NH₄-N and DOC were products of microbial mineralisation of soil organic matter that accumulated under anaerobic conditions. When these soils were restored a flush of decomposition took place, fuelled by labile organic matter and soluble nitrogen.Stockpiled soil which underwent an ammonium-rich perfusion regime in the laboratory indicated that in-mound soils rapidly attained greater nitrification potential than surface mound soils and also had greater potential for further mineralisation of organic matter to NH₄-N. This further production was seen as a contribution from the bacterial flush, stimulated by the large labile-C pool already present.As the bulk of stored soil was anaerobic, restored soils were seen as potentially wasteful of their N-reserves; the fate of nitrogen and soluble carbon compounds in restored soils is discussed.     

Chemical and seasonal controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in a coniferous old-growth stand in the Pacific Northwest,USA

Soil organic matter (SOM) is the largest terrestrial C pool, and retention and release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) cause formation and loss of SOM. However, we lack information on how different sources of DOM affect its chemical composition, and how DOM chemical composition affects retention. We studied seasonal controls on DOM production and chemical controls on retention in soils of a temperate coniferous forest. The O horizon was not usually the dominant source for dissolved organic C (DOC) or N (DON) as has been reported for other sites. Rather, net production of both DOC and DON was often greater in the shallow mineral soil (0–10 cm) than in the O horizon. DOM production in the shallow mineral soil may be from root exudation as well as turnover of fine roots and microflora in the rhizosphere. In the field, the two acid fractions (hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids) dominated the soil solution at all depths. A major portion of net production and removal of total DOC within the soil column was explained by increases and decreases in these fractions, although a shift in chemical composition of DOM between the O and mineral soil horizons suggested different origins of DOM in these layers. A larger loss of the free amino fraction to deep soil water at this study site than at other sites suggested lower retention of labile DON. Field DOM removal measurements suggest that field-measured parameters may provide a good estimate for total DOM retained in mineral soil.     

Bacterial decomposition of organic matter in lacustrine sediments

The investigations were carried out in lakes situated in the forest zone (Karelian Isthmus, Baltic zone, South Ural) and in the forest-steppe (South Ural) of the USSR. The lakes differ in their bioproductivity and in the intensity of their human influence. The amount of organic matter accumulating in the sediments is closely related to production and decomposition processes in the trophogenic layer. Processes of organic matter transformation were found to be most active in the uppermost sediment. The quantity of bacteria shows no correlation with the organic matter content of the sediment. Increase in organic matter, up to 70–80% of dry weight, is often accompanied by a decrease in bottom bacteria. The intensity of aerobic decomposition of the labile organic matter can be judged from the oxygen demand of the sediments. However, it is important to differentiate between chemical and biological oxidation processes. The quantity of bottom bacteria correlates closely with the value of oxygen consumption only in cases of high sediment redox potentials.