Effects of coral reef benthic primary producers on dissolved organic carbon and microbial activity

Benthic primary producers in marine ecosystems may significantly alter biogeochemical cycling and microbial processes in their surrounding environment. To examine these interactions, we studied dissolved organic matter release by dominant benthic taxa and subsequent microbial remineralization in the lagoonal reefs of Moorea, French Polynesia. Rates of photosynthesis, respiration, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release were assessed for several common benthic reef organisms from the backreef habitat. We assessed microbial community response to dissolved exudates of each benthic producer by measuring bacterioplankton growth, respiration, and DOC drawdown in two-day dark dilution culture incubations. Experiments were conducted for six benthic producers: three species of macroalgae (each representing a different algal phylum: Turbinaria ornata – Ochrophyta; Amansia rhodantha – Rhodophyta; Halimeda opuntia – Chlorophyta), a mixed assemblage of turf algae, a species of crustose coralline algae (Hydrolithon reinboldii) and a dominant hermatypic coral (Porites lobata). Our results show that all five types of algae, but not the coral, exuded significant amounts of labile DOC into their surrounding environment. In general, primary producers with the highest rates of photosynthesis released the most DOC and yielded the greatest bacterioplankton growth; turf algae produced nearly twice as much DOC per unit surface area than the other benthic producers (14.0±2.8 µmol h⁻¹ dm⁻²), stimulating rapid bacterioplankton growth (0.044±0.002 log10 cells h⁻¹) and concomitant oxygen drawdown (0.16±0.05 µmol L⁻¹ h⁻¹ dm⁻²). Our results demonstrate that benthic reef algae can release a significant fraction of their photosynthetically-fixed carbon as DOC, these release rates vary by species, and this DOC is available to and consumed by reef associated microbes. These data provide compelling evidence that benthic primary producers differentially influence reef microbial dynamics and biogeochemical parameters (i.e., DOC and oxygen availability, bacterial abundance and metabolism) in coral reef communities.     

Instream release of dissolved organic matter from coarse and fine particulate organic matter of different origins

Dissolved organic matter (DOM), produced through leaching from particulate organic matter (POM), is an essential component of the carbon cycle in streams. The present study investigated the instream DOM release from POM, varying in size and chemical quality. We produced large and medium sized fine particulate organic matter (L-FPOM, 250–500 μm; M-FPOM, 100–250 μm) of defined quality by feeding five types of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) to shredding amphipods (Gammarus spp.). Microscopic observations showed that L-FPOM and M-FPOM mainly consisted of the fecal pellets of amphipods, and incompletely eaten plant fragments, respectively. DOM release experiments were conducted by exposing CPOM and M- and L-FPOM fractions in natural stream water over a two week period. For CPOM, the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by leaching was highest during the first 6 h (3.64–23.9 mg C g C^?1 h^?1) and decreased rapidly afterwards. For M- and L-FPOM, the DOC release remained low during the entire study period (range: 0.008–0.15 mg C g C^?1 h^?1). Two-way ANOVA revealed that the DOC release rate significantly differed with POM source and size fraction, both at day 1 and after a week of exposure. Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant correlation of elemental contents and lignin content to DOC release rate after a week of exposure. Overall, the results indicated that DOC release rate of FPOM, on a carbon basis, is comparable to that of CPOM after leaching, while size and source of POM significantly affect DOC release rate.     

Hydrologic Drivers and Seasonality of Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentration, Nitrogen Content, Bioavailability, and Export in a Forested New England Stream

We present the results of a full year of high-resolution monitoring of hydrologic event-driven export of stream dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the forested Bigelow Brook watershed in Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, USA. A combination of in situ fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) measurement, grab samples, and bioassays was utilized. FDOM was identified as a strong indicator of concentration for dissolved organic carbon (DOC, r ² = 0.96), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON, r ² = 0.81), and bioavailable DOC (BDOC, r ² = 0.81). Relationships between FDOM and concentration were utilized to improve characterization of patterns of hydrological event-driven export and the quantification of annual export. This characterization was possible because DOM composition remained relatively consistent seasonally; however, a subtle shift to increased fluorescence per unit absorbance was observed for summer and fall seasons and percent BDOC did increase slightly with increasing concentrations. The majority of export occurred during pulsed hydrological events, so the greatest impact of bioavailable exports may be on downstream aquatic ecosystems. Export from individual events was highly seasonal in nature with the highest flow weighted mean concentrations (DOC_FW) being observed in late summer and fall months, but the highest total export being observed for larger winter storms. Seasonal trends in DOC export coincide with weather driven changes in surface and subsurface flow paths, potential for depletion and rebuilding of a flushable soil organic matter pool, and the availability of terrestrial carbon sources such as leaf litter. Our approach and findings demonstrate the utility of high frequency FDOM measurement to improve estimates of intra-annual temporal trends of DOM export.     

Land use and hydrologic flowpaths interact to affect dissolved organic matter and nitrate dynamics

The transport and transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) through the soil profile impact down-gradient ecosystems and are increasingly recognized as important factors affecting the balance between accumulation and mineralization of subsoil organic matter. Using zero tension and tension lysimeters at three soil depths (20, 40, 60 cm) in paired forest and maize/soybean land uses, we compared dissolved organic C (DOC), dissolved organic N (DON) and DIN concentrations as well as DOM properties including hydrophilic-C (HPI-C), UV absorption (SUVA₂₅₄), humification index and C/N ratio. Soil moisture data collected at lysimeter locations suggest zero tension lysimeters sampled relatively rapid hydrologic flowpaths that included downward saturated flow through the soil matrix and/or rapid macropore flow that is not in equilibrium with bulk soil solution whereas tension lysimeters sampled relatively immobile soil matrix solution during unsaturated conditions. The effect of land use on DOC and DON concentrations was largely limited to the most shallow (20 cm) sampling depth where DOC concentrations were greater in the forest (only zero tension lysimeters) and DON concentrations were greater in the cropland (both lysimeter types). In contrast to DOC and DON concentrations, the effect of land use on DOM properties persisted to the deepest sampling depth (60 cm), suggesting that DOM in the cropland was more decomposed regardless of lysimeter type. DOC concentrations and DOM properties differed between lysimeter types only in the forest at 20 cm where soil solutions collected with zero tension lysimeters had greater DOC concentrations, greater SUVA₂₅₄, greater humification index and lower HPI-C. Our data highlight the importance of considering DOM quality in addition to DOC quantity, and indicate long-term cultivation reduced the delivery of relatively less decomposed DOM to all soil depths.     

Viral lysis of Micromonas pusilla: impacts on dissolved organic matter production and composition

The viral mediated transformation of phytoplankton organic carbon to dissolved forms (“viral shunt”) has been suggested as a major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in marine systems. Despite the potential implications of viral activity on the global carbon fluxes, studies investigating changes in the DOC composition from viral lysis is still lacking. Micromonas pusilla is an ecologically relevant picoeukaryotic phytoplankter, widely distributed in both coastal and oceanic marine waters. Viruses have been found to play a key role in regulating the population dynamics of this species. In this study we used axenic cultures of exponentially growing M. pusilla to determine the impact of viral lysis on the DOC concentration and composition, as estimated from lysate-derived production of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and two fractions of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (DOM): aromatic amino acids (excitation/emission; 280/320 nm; F(280/320)) and marine humic-like fluorescent DOM (320/410 nm; F(320/410)). DOC concentration increased 4.5 times faster and reached 2.6 times higher end concentration in the viral infected compared with the non-infected cultures. The production of F(280/320) and F(320/410) were 4.1 and 2.8 times higher in the infected cultures, and the elevated ratio between F(280/320) and F(320/410) in lysates suggested a higher contribution of labile (protein) components in viral produced DOM than in algal exudates. The TEP production was 1.8 times faster and reached a 1.5 times higher level in the viral infected M. pusilla culture compared with the non- infected cultures. The measured increase in both DOC and TEP concentrations suggests that viral lysis has multiple and opposite implications for the production and export processes in the pelagic ocean: (1) by releasing host biomass as DOC it decreases the organic matter sedimentation and promotes respiration and nutrient retention in the photic zone, whereas (2) the observed enhanced TEP production could stimulate particle aggregation and thus carbon export out of the photic zone.     

Escherichia coli Behavior in the Presence of Organic Matter Released by Algae Exposed to Water Treatment Chemicals

When exposed to oxidation, algae release dissolved organic matter with significant carbohydrate (52%) and biodegradable (55 to 74%) fractions. This study examined whether algal organic matter (AOM) added in drinking water can compromise water biological stability by supporting bacterial survival. Escherichia coli (1.3 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹) was inoculated in sterile dechlorinated tap water supplemented with various qualities of organic substrate, such as the organic matter coming from chlorinated algae, ozonated algae, and acetate (model molecule) to add 0.2 ± 0.1 mg of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) liter⁻¹. Despite equivalent levels of BDOC, E. coli behavior depended on the source of the added organic matter. The addition of AOM from chlorinated algae led to an E. coli growth equivalent to that in nonsupplemented tap water; the addition of AOM from ozonated algae allowed a 4- to 12-fold increase in E. coli proliferation compared to nonsupplemented tap water. Under our experimental conditions, 0.1 mg of algal BDOC was sufficient to support E. coli growth, whereas the 0.7 mg of BDOC liter⁻¹ initially present in drinking water and an additional 0.2 mg of BDOC acetate liter⁻¹ were not sufficient. Better maintenance of E. coli cultivability was also observed when AOM was added; cultivability was even increased after addition of AOM from ozonated algae. AOM, likely to be present in treatment plants during algal blooms, and thus potentially in the treated water may compromise water biological stability.     

Temperature affects the response of heterotrophic bacteria and mixotrophic algae to enhanced concentrations of soil extract

To investigate the consequences of increased temperature and enhanced input of dissolved organic matter (DOM) into lakes for heterotrophicic bacteria and for mixotrophic algae which use DOM in addition to photosynthesis, the hypotheses were tested whether (1) both bacteria and mixotrophic algae benefit from increased input of DOM, or (2) increased DOM input enhances bacterial biomass and thereby decreases algal biomass. Growth experiments in batch cultures, exudation measurements, and competition experiments in chemostats were performed at two temperature levels. Increased temperature stimulated the autotrophic growth rate of Chlorella protothecoides. Bacteria and Chlorella increased their heterotrophic growth rates at higher DOM concentration at lower temperature whereas enhanced DOM concentration hardly stimulated their growth at higher temperature. In chemostats, enhanced input of soil extract increased both bacterial and algal biomass at lower temperature whereas bacterial biomass increased only slightly and algal biomass decreased at higher temperature. Thus, the temperature determines the response of microorganisms to enhanced DOM concentration.     

Effects of different molecular weight fractions of dissolved organic matter on the growth of bacteria,algae and protozoa from a highly humic lake

Effects of different molecular size fractions (< 1000 MW, < 10 000 MW, < 100 000 MW and <0.1 μm) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the growth of bacteria, algae and protozoa from a highly humic lake were investigated. DOM from catchment drainage water as well as from the lake consisted mostly (59–63%) of high molecular weight (HMW) compounds (> 10 000 MW). With excess inorganic nutrients, the growth rate and yield of bacteria were almost identical in all size fractions. However, in < 1000 MW fractions and with glucose added, a longer lag phase occurred. Without added nutrients both the growth rates and biomasses of bacteria decreased towards the smaller size fractions and the percentage of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) used during the experiment and the growth efficiency of bacteria were lower than with excess nutrients. The growth efficiency of bacteria was estimated to vary between 3–66% in different MW fractions, largely depending on the nutrient concentrations, but the highest growth efficiencies were observed in HMW fractions and with glucose. The growth of algae was clearly lowest in the < 1000 MW fraction. In dim light no net growth of algae could be found. In contrast, added nutrients substantially enhanced algal growth and in deionized water with glucose, algae achieved almost the same growth rate and biomass as in higher MW fractions of DOM. The results suggested that bacteria and some algae were favoured by DOM, but protozoans seemed to benefit only indirectly, through bacterial grazing. The utilization of DOM by bacteria and algae was strongly affected by the availability of phosphorus and nitrogen.     

MIXOTROPHIC ALGAE CONSTRAIN THE LOSS OF ORGANIC CARBON BY EXUDATION1

Algae of various taxonomic groups are capable of assimilating dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from their environments (mixotrophy). Recently, we reported that, with increasing biomass of mixotrophs, heterotrophic bacteria did not increase. We hypothesized that algal uptake of external DOC may outweigh their release of DOC by exudation (H1). Here, we addressed an alternative hypothesis that algae did not assimilate external DOC but constrained the release of DOC (H2). In chemostat experiments, we cultured the mixotrophic Chlamydomonas acidophila Negoro together with heterotrophic bacteria. As external substrates, we used glucose, which was potentially available for both bacteria and algae, or fructose, which was available only for bacteria. We increased the biomass of algae by the stepwise addition of phosphorus. Bacterial biomass did not increase in experiments using glucose or when fructose was offered, suggesting that mechanisms other than algal mixotrophy (H1) kept concentrations of bacteria low. Measured exudation rates (percent extracellular release, PER) of mixotrophic algae (Cd. acidophila, Chlorella protothecoides W. Krüger) were very low and ranged between 1.0% and 3.5% at low and moderately high phosphorus concentrations. In contrast, an obligately phototrophic alga (Chlamydomonas segnis H. Ettl) showed higher exudation rates, particularly under phosphorus limitation (70%). The results support H2. If mixotrophy is considered as a mechanism to recycle organic exudates from near the cell surface, this would explain why algae retained mixotrophic capabilities although they cannot compete with bacteria for external organic carbon.     

A large molecular size fraction of riverine high molecular weight dissolved organic matter (HMW DOM) stimulates growth of the harmful dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum

An increase in the concentration of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been observed during the last decades, and this material can stimulate marine plankton in coastal waters with significant freshwater input. We studied the effect of two size fractions of riverine high molecular weight dissolved organic matter (HMW DOM), isolated with tangential ultrafiltration, on the harmful dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum and a natural isolate of marine bacteria under laboratory conditions. Both A. minutum and bacteria grew significantly better with the low MW DOM compared to both the high MW DOM fraction and controls (no DOM additions). This experiment demonstrates that the harmful algae A. minutum and bacteria benefit from larger molecules of river HMW DOM, and highlights the potential of A. minutum to utilize organic nitrogen from large DOM molecules. This ability may enhance their likelihood of success in estuaries/costal waters with a humic rich freshwater input, especially when the relative amount of large molecules within DOM is more pronounced.     

Biomass,composition and activity of organism assemblages along a salinity gradient in sea ice subjected to river discharge in the Baltic Sea

A study was undertaken to examine the activity and composition of the seasonal Baltic Sea land-fast sea-ice biota along a salinity gradient in March 2003 in a coastal location in the SW coast of Finland. Using a multi-variable data set, the less well-known algal and protozoan communities, and algal and bacterial production in relation to the physical and chemical environment were investigated. Also, the first coincident measurements of bacterial production and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a sea-ice system are reported. Communities in sea ice were clearly autotrophy-dominated with algal biomass representing 79% of the total biomass. Protozoa and rotifers made up 18% of biomass in the ice and bacteria only 3%. Highest biomasses were found in mid-transect bottom ice. Water column assemblages were clearly more heterotrophic: 39% algae, 12% bacteria and 49% for rotifers and protozoa. Few significant correlations existed between DOM and bacterial variables, reflecting the complex origin of ice DOM. Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (DOC, DON and DOP) were also uncoupled. A functional microbial loop is likely to be present in the studied ice. Existence of an under-ice freshwater plume affects the ecosystem functioning: Under-ice water communities are influenced directly by river-water mixing, whereas the ice system seems to be more independent—the interaction mainly taking place through the formation of active bottom communities.     

Changes of organic matter quality along the longitudinal axis of a large shallow lake (Lake Balaton)

Hydrobiologia - Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is quantitatively the most significant pool of organic matter in lakes. Within DOM, the pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is dominated...     

Substrate Use of Pseudovibrio sp. Growing in Ultra-Oligotrophic Seawater

Marine planktonic bacteria often live in habitats with extremely low concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM). To study the use of trace amounts of DOM by the facultatively oligotrophic Pseudovibrio sp. FO-BEG1, we investigated the composition of artificial and natural seawater before and after growth. We determined the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), free and hydrolysable amino acids, and the molecular composition of DOM by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR-MS). The DOC concentration of the artificial seawater we used for cultivation was 4.4 μmol C L^-1, which was eight times lower compared to the natural oligotrophic seawater we used for parallel experiments (36 μmol C L ^-1). During the three-week duration of the experiment, cell numbers increased from 40 cells mL^-1 to 2x10⁴ cells mL ^-1 in artificial and to 3x10⁵ cells mL ^-1 in natural seawater. No nitrogen fixation and minor CO₂ fixation (< 1% of cellular carbon) was observed. Our data show that in both media, amino acids were not the main substrate for growth. Instead, FT-ICR-MS analysis revealed usage of a variety of different dissolved organic molecules, belonging to a wide range of chemical compound groups, also containing nitrogen. The present study shows that marine heterotrophic bacteria are able to proliferate with even lower DOC concentrations than available in natural ultra-oligotrophic seawater, using unexpected organic compounds to fuel their energy, carbon and nitrogen requirements.     

Nutrient availability as major driver of phytoplankton-derived dissolved organic matter transformation in coastal environment

Incubation experiments were performed to examine the processing of fresh autochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) produced by coastal plankton communities in spring and autumn. The major driver of observed DOM dynamics was the seasonally variable inorganic nutrient status and characteristics of the initial bulk DOM, whereas the characteristics of the phytoplankton community seemed to have a minor role. Net accumulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during the 18-days experiments was 3.4 and 9.2 µmol l^?1 d^?1 in P-limited spring and N-limited autumn, respectively. Bacterial bioassays revealed that the phytoplankton-derived DOC had surprisingly low proportions of biologically labile DOC, 12.6% (spring) and 17.5% (autumn). The optical characteristics of the DOM changed throughout the experiments, demonstrating continuous heterotrophic processing of the DOM pool. However, these temporal changes in optical characteristics of the DOM pool were not the same between seasons, indicating seasonally variable environmental drivers. Nitrogen and phosphorus availability is likely the main driver of these seasonal differences, affecting both phytoplankton extracellular release of DOM and its heterotrophic degradation by bacteria. These findings underline the complexity of the DOM production and consumption by the natural planktonic community, and show the importance of the prevailing environmental conditions regulating the DOM pathways.     

Seasonal and spatial variability of dissolved organic matter composition in the lower Amazon River

We analyzed the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the lower Amazon River (ca. 850 km from Óbidos to the mouth) using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and geochemical tracers. Changes in DOM composition along this lower reach suggest a transition from higher plant-derived DOM to more algal/microbial-derived DOM. This result was likely due to a combination of autochthonous production, alteration of terrigenous DOM as it transits down the river, and increased algal inputs from floodplain lakes and clearwater tributaries during high discharge conditions. Spatial gradients in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations varied with discharge. Maximal DOC concentrations were observed near the mouth during high water, highlighting the importance of lateral inputs of DOM along the lower river. The majority of DOM molecular formulae did not change within the time it takes the water in the mainstem to be transported through the lower reach. This is indicative of molecules representing a mixture of compounds that are resistant to rapid alteration and reactive compounds that are continuously replenished by the lateral input of terrestrial organic matter from the landscape, tributaries, and floodplains. River water incubations revealed that photo- and bio-transformation alter at most 30% of the DOM molecular formulae. River discharge at the mouth differed from the sum of discharge measurements made at Óbidos and the main gauged tributaries in the lower Amazon. This indicates that changes in hydrology and associated variations in the source waters along the lower reach affected the molecular composition of the DOM that is being transported from the Amazon River to the coastal ocean.     

Degradability, molecular weight and adsorption properties of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen leached from different types of decomposing litter

Aims

We characterized dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached during decomposition of deciduous silver birch litter (Betula pendula Roth.), coniferous Norway spruce litter (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and a mixture of these litters in order to find out whether the properties of DOM would explain the earlier observed signs for higher microbial activity in soil under birch than spruce.

Methods

DOM leached from decomposing litters was collected in a litter-column experiment in the laboratory. Adsorption properties (XAD-8 resin fractionation) and molecular weight as well as the degradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were measured three times during decomposition: 1) in the early stages, 2) after the mass loss reached 20–30 % and 3) when the mass loss reached 30–40 %.

Results

The leaching of DOC hydrophilic neutrals and bases, regarded easily degradable, decreased during decomposition. The leaching of DOC in hydrophobic acids, regarded refractory, increased from spruce and especially from the mixture litter during decomposition and may be connected to the degree of litter decomposition that was highest for the mixture. Unexpectedly, the degradability of DOC differed only slightly between the litters but the degradability of DON was substantially higher for spruce than birch. Spruce DOM seemed to be more N-rich than birch DOM in the early stages of decomposition and it seemed that labile DON was mobilized earlier from spruce than birch litter.

Conclusions

We conclude that the decomposition degree of litter determines largely the properties of DOM. The observed differences in the properties of DOM sampled during the litter decomposition cannot explain differences in C and N cycling between birch and spruce.     

The formation, structure and utilization of stone surface organic layers in two New Zealand streams

SUMMARY.

• 1 The development of stone surface organic layers was investigated in dark and light experimental channels at two field sites. Layer formation was monitored by measuring organic carbon, chlorophyll-a, ATP and rates of oxygen consumption, and using scanning electron microscopy.
• 2 In the darkened forest stream channel an organic layer consisting of slime, fine particles, bacteria and fungi developed and attained maximum biomass (=0.08 mg cm^-2) in about 2 months. At the second site, channels were fed by spring water low in dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOC < 0.5 g m^-3) and no organic layer developed on stones in the dark. Organic layers grown in channels subject to natural light intensities and photoperiods were dominated by diatoms and/or filamentous algae at both sites.
• 3 Laboratory experiments carried out in enclosed, recirculating stream channels demonstrated the importance of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a prerequisite for layer formation. Also. DOM additions in the form of leaf leachates stimulated oxygen consumption by preformed layers. Uptake by microorganisms accounted for most of the reduction in water-column DOM.
• 4 Radiotracer experiments (¹⁴C and ¹⁴⁴Ce) showed that several common stream invertebrates could feed on ‘heterotrophic’ layers. Calculated assimilation efficiencies ranged from 18% to 74% and imply that nonautotrophic components of stone surface organic layers are likely to play a significant role in carbon transfer to the benthos, particularly in small, shaded streams.

     

Sorption of dissolved organic matter by mineral soils of the Siberian forest tundra

Because of low net production in arctic and subarctic surface water, dissolved organic matter (DOM) discharged from terrestrial settings plays an important role for carbon and nitrogen dynamics in arctic aquatic systems. Sorption, typically controlling the export of DOM from soil, may be influenced by the permafrost regime. To confirm the potential sorptive control on the release of DOM from permafrost soils in central northern Siberia, we examined the sorption of DOM by mineral soils of Gelisols and Inceptisols with varying depth of the active layer. Water‐soluble organic matter in the O horizons of the Gelisols was less (338 and 407 mg C kg^?1) and comprised more dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the hydrophobic fraction (HoDOC) (63% and 70%) than in the O horizons of the Inceptisols (686 and 706 mg C kg^?1, 45% and 48% HoDOC). All A and B horizons from Gelisols sorbed DOC strongly, with a preference for HoDOC. Almost all horizons of the Inceptisols showed a weaker sorption of DOC than those of the Gelisols. The C horizons of the Inceptisols, having a weak overall DOC sorption, sorbed C in the hydrophilic fraction (HiDOC) stronger than HoDOC. The reason for the poor overall sorption and also the preferential sorption of HiDOC is likely the high pH (pH>7.0) of the C horizons and the smaller concentrations of iron oxides. For all soils, the sorption of HoDOC related positively to oxalate‐ and dithionite–citrate‐extractable iron. The A horizons released large amounts of DOC with 46–80% of HiDOC. The released DOC was significantly (r=0.78, P<0.05) correlated with the contents of soil organic carbon. From these results, we assume that large concentrations of DOM comprising large shares of HiDOC can pass mineral soils where the active layer is thin (i.e. in Gelisols), and enter streams. Soils with deep active layer (i.e. Inceptisols), may release little DOM because of more frequent infiltration of DOM into their thick mineral horizons despite their smaller contents of reactive, poorly crystalline minerals. The results obtained for the Inceptisols are in agreement with the situation observed for streams connecting to Yenisei at lower latitudes than 65°50′ with continuous to discontinuous permafrost. The smaller sorption of DOM by the Gelisols is in agreement with the larger DOM concentrations in more northern catchments. However, the Gelisols preferentially retained the HoDOC which dominates the DOC in streams towards north. This discrepancy can be explained by additional seepage water from the organic horizons that is discharged into streams without intensive contact with the mineral soil.     

落叶松林土壤可溶性碳、氮和官能团特征的时空变化及与土壤理化性质的关系

土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)、可溶性有机氮(DON)及其官能团特征在土壤碳、氮循环中作用非常重要。对25个不同年龄落叶松林样地、4个深度(0-20、20-40、40-60和60-80 cm)土壤DOC、DON、有机物官能团(芳香性、分子量和疏水性)特征指标(254、260、272 nm和280 nm的单位吸光度值SUVA:吸光度值/DOC含量)和土壤理化指标(土壤全碳SOC、全氮SON、pH值、电导率、容重)进行测定,旨在探究它们的时、空变化特征及与土壤理化指标相关关系。在空间尺度上,与SOC、SON一致,表层土壤DOC、DON多显著高于深层(P<0.05),但是4个单位吸光度值SUVA₂₅₄、SUVA₂₆₀、SUVA₂₇₂和 SUVA₂₈₀均不存在差异(P>0.05);在时间尺度上,仅表层土壤DOC、SOC 和SON随落叶松年龄显著线性增长(P<0.05),而深层DOC、SOC、SON、不同层土壤DON及各官能团指标均没有显著变化(P>0.05)。可见,土壤可溶性有机物内碳的累积(7 mg kg^-1 a^-1)是SOC累积的一部分(762 mg kg^-1 a^-1),但其DON及可溶性有机物芳香性比例、分子量大小及疏水性容量等官能团特征并未受落叶松生长时间以及土壤深度的显著影响。进一步回归分析表明这些官能团指标随土壤DOC含量增加而指数下降,深层土壤同时受DON显著影响。表层土壤DOC、DON与土壤SOC、SON、土壤电导率显著正相关(P<0.05),深层相关不显著(P>0.05),而官能团指标与土壤理化性质的相关性在各个土层均不显著,显示出表层土壤可溶性有机物的量,而不是官能团组成对土壤理化性质影响显著,而深层土壤可溶性有机物量对土壤理化性质不构成显著影响。对于从可溶性组分、官能团角度,分析落叶松人工林成长过程中土壤碳、氮时空变化具有科学意义。