Seasonal relationships between planktonic microorganisms and dissolved organic material in an alpine stream

The relationships between the abundance and activity of planktonic, heterotrophic microorganisms and the quantity and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a Rocky Mountain stream were evaluated. Peak values of glucose uptake, 2.1 nmol L⁻¹ hr⁻¹, and glucose concentration, 333 nM, occurred during spring snowmelt when the water temperature was 4.0°C and the DOC concentration was greatest. The turnover time of thein situ glucose pool ranged seasonally from 40–1110 hours, with a mean of 272 hr. Seasonal uptake of³H-glucose, particulate ATP concentrations, and direct counts of microbial biomass were independent of temperature, but were positively correlated with DOC concentrations and negatively correlated with stream discharge. Heterotrophic activity in melted snow was generally low, but patchy. In the summer, planktonic heterotrophic activity and microbial biomass exhibited small-scale diel cycles which did not appear to be related to fluctuations in discharge or DOC, but could be related to the activity of benthic invertebrates. Leaf-packs placed under the snow progressively lost weight and leachable organic material during the winter, indicating that the annual litterfall in the watershed may be one source of the spring flush of DOC. These results indicate that the availability of labile DOC to the stream ecosystem is the primary control on seasonal variation in heterotrophic activity of planktonic microbial populations.     

Fate and Transport of Organic Nitrogen in Minimally Disturbed Montane Streams of Colorado,USA

In two montane watersheds that receive minimal deposition of atmospheric nitrogen, 15–71% of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was bioavailable in stream water over a 2-year period. Discharge-weighted concentrations of bulk DON were between 102 and 135 μg/l, and the C:N ratio differed substantially between humic and non-humic fractions of DON. Approximately 70% of DON export occurred during snowmelt, and 40% of that DON was biologically available to microbes in stream sediments. Concentrations of bioavailable DON in stream water were 2–16 times greater than dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) during the growing season, and bioavailable DON was depleted within 2–14 days during experimental incubations. Uptake of DON was influenced by the concentration of inorganic N in stream water, the concentration of non-humic DON in stream water, and the C:N ratio of the non-humic fraction of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Uptake of DON declined logarithmically as the concentration of inorganic N in stream water increased. Experimental additions of inorganic N also caused a decline in uptake of DON and net production of DON when the C:N ratio of non-humic DOM was high. This study indicates that the relative and absolute amount of bioavailable DON can vary greatly within and across years due to interactions between the availability of inorganic nutrients and composition of DOM. DOM has the potential to be used biotically at a high rate in nitrogen-poor streams, and it may be generated by heterotrophic microbes when DIN and labile DOM with low relative nitrogen content become abundant.     

Dynamics of extracellular DNA in the marine environment.

The production and turnover of dissolved DNA in subtropical estuarine and oligotrophic oceanic environments were investigated. Actively growing heterotrophic bacterioplankton (i.e., those capable of [3H]thymidine incorporation) were found to produce dissolved DNA, presumably through the processes of death and lysis, grazing by bacteriovores, and excretion. Production of dissolved DNA as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation was less than or equal to 4% of the ambient dissolved DNA concentration per day. In turnover studies, the addition of [3H]DNA (Escherichia coli chromosomal) to seawater resulted in rapid hydrolysis and uptake or radioactivity by microbial populations. DNA was hydrolyzed by both cell-associated and extracellular nucleases, in both estuarine and offshore environments. Kinetic analysis performed for a eutrophic estuary indicated a turnover time for dissolved DNA as short as 6.5 h. Microautoradiographic studies of bacterial populations in Tampa Bay indicated that filamentous and attached bacteria took up most of the radioactivity from [3H]DNA. Dissolved DNA is therefore a dynamic component of the dissolved organic matter in the marine environment, and bacterioplankton play a key role in the cycling of this material.     

Dynamics of extracellular DNA in the marine environment

The production and turnover of dissolved DNA in subtropical estuarine and oligotrophic oceanic environments were investigated. Actively growing heterotrophic bacterioplankton (i.e., those capable of [3H]thymidine incorporation) were found to produce dissolved DNA, presumably through the processes of death and lysis, grazing by bacteriovores, and excretion. Production of dissolved DNA as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation was less than or equal to 4% of the ambient dissolved DNA concentration per day. In turnover studies, the addition of [3H]DNA (Escherichia coli chromosomal) to seawater resulted in rapid hydrolysis and uptake or radioactivity by microbial populations. DNA was hydrolyzed by both cell-associated and extracellular nucleases, in both estuarine and offshore environments. Kinetic analysis performed for a eutrophic estuary indicated a turnover time for dissolved DNA as short as 6.5 h. Microautoradiographic studies of bacterial populations in Tampa Bay indicated that filamentous and attached bacteria took up most of the radioactivity from [3H]DNA. Dissolved DNA is therefore a dynamic component of the dissolved organic matter in the marine environment, and bacterioplankton play a key role in the cycling of this material.     

Production of dissolved DNA, RNA, and protein by microbial populations in a Florida reservoir.

Production of dissolved macromolecules by ambient autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial populations was measured in a eutrophic Florida reservoir by in situ labeling with various radioactive substrates. When [3H]thymidine was used as the precursor, production of labeled dissolved DNA, RNA, and protein was observed. The rate of production of labeled dissolved macromolecules was 3.1% the rate of cellular incorporation of [3H]thymidine, and the production of dissolved DNA represented 2.3% the rate of cellular DNA incorporation. Microautotrophic populations labeled with NaH[14C]CO3 produced dissolved RNA and protein at rates of 0.24 and 0.11 micrograms of C/liter per h, respectively, or 1.8% the total rate of carbon fixation, with no measurable dissolved DNA production. In an attempt to specifically label phytoplankton DNA, samples were incubated with [3H]adenine or 32Pi in the presence and absence of the photosynthetic inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Although DCMU inhibited 14C fixation by approximately 99%, this antimetabolite had only a slight effect on [3H]adenine incorporation and no effect on 32P incorporation into cellular macromolecules. Significant amounts of dissolved DNA were produced in both [3H]adenine and 32Pi incubations, but again DCMU had no effect on the production rates. These results indicate that actively growing populations of both phytoplankton and bacterioplankton produced dissolved RNA and protein, while only active bacterioplankton produced measurable quantities of dissolved DNA. Dead or senescent phytoplankton may have produced dissolved DNA, but would not be measured in the relatively short incubations used. These findings also indicate that [3H]adenine and 32Pi primarily labeled heterotrophic bacterioplankton and not phytoplankton in this environment.     

Production of dissolved DNA, RNA, and protein by microbial populations in a Florida reservoir.

Production of dissolved macromolecules by ambient autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial populations was measured in a eutrophic Florida reservoir by in situ labeling with various radioactive substrates. When [3H]thymidine was used as the precursor, production of labeled dissolved DNA, RNA, and protein was observed. The rate of production of labeled dissolved macromolecules was 3.1% the rate of cellular incorporation of [3H]thymidine, and the production of dissolved DNA represented 2.3% the rate of cellular DNA incorporation. Microautotrophic populations labeled with NaH[14C]CO3 produced dissolved RNA and protein at rates of 0.24 and 0.11 micrograms of C/liter per h, respectively, or 1.8% the total rate of carbon fixation, with no measurable dissolved DNA production. In an attempt to specifically label phytoplankton DNA, samples were incubated with [3H]adenine or 32Pi in the presence and absence of the photosynthetic inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Although DCMU inhibited 14C fixation by approximately 99%, this antimetabolite had only a slight effect on [3H]adenine incorporation and no effect on 32P incorporation into cellular macromolecules. Significant amounts of dissolved DNA were produced in both [3H]adenine and 32Pi incubations, but again DCMU had no effect on the production rates. These results indicate that actively growing populations of both phytoplankton and bacterioplankton produced dissolved RNA and protein, while only active bacterioplankton produced measurable quantities of dissolved DNA. Dead or senescent phytoplankton may have produced dissolved DNA, but would not be measured in the relatively short incubations used. These findings also indicate that [3H]adenine and 32Pi primarily labeled heterotrophic bacterioplankton and not phytoplankton in this environment.     

Seasonal and Diel Variability in Dissolved DNA and in Microbial Biomass and Activity in a Subtropical Estuary

Dissolved DNA and microbial biomass and activity parameters were measured over a 15-month period at three stations along a salinity gradient in Tampa Bay, Fla. Dissolved DNA showed seasonal variation, with minimal values in December and January and maximal values in summer months (July and August). This pattern of seasonal variation followed that of particulate DNA and water temperature and did not correlate with bacterioplankton (direct counts and [³H]thymidine incorporation) or phytoplankton (chlorophyll a and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation) biomass and activity. Microautotrophic populations showed maxima in the spring and fall, whereas microheterotrophic activity was greatest in late summer (September). Both autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial activity was greatest at the high estuarine (low salinity) station and lowest at the mouth of the bay (high salinity station), irrespective of season. Dissolved DNA carbon and phosphorus constituted 0.11 ± 0.05% of the dissolved organic carbon and 6.6 ± 6.5% of the dissolved organic phosphorus, respectively. Strong diel periodicity was noted in dissolved DNA and in microbial activity in Bayboro Harbor during the dry season. A noon maximum in primary productivity was followed by an 8 p.m. maximum in heterotrophic activity and a midnight maximum in dissolved DNA. This diel periodicity was less pronounced in the wet season, when microbial parameters were strongly influenced by episodic inputs of freshwater. These results suggest that seasonal and diel production of dissolved DNA is driven by primary production, either through direct DNA release by phytoplankton, or more likely, through growth of bacterioplankton on phytoplankton exudates, followed by excretion and lysis.     

Measuring the potential activity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria.

[14C]hydrocarbons were utilized as a means of estimating the hydrocarbon-degrading potential of bacteria in estuarine and marine environments. Evaporation of the hydrocarbons must be considered in estimates of oxidation. Amount of mineralization of [14C]hexadecane can be equated with the total number of petroleum-degrading bacteria and the percentage of the total heterotrophic population, which they represent. Mineralization activity was found to be related to the activity of the bacterial populations during in situ incubation. Rates of mineralization were observed, as follows, for [14C]hexadecane greater than [14C]naphthalene greater than [14C]toluene greater than [14C]cyclohexane. Increased rates of uptake and mineralization were observed for bacteria in samples collected from an oil-polluted harbor compared with samples from a relatively unpolluted, shellfish-harvesting area, e.g., turnover times of 15 and 60 min for these areas, respectively, using [14C]hexadecane.     

Sources and ages of dissolved organic matter in peatland streams: evidence from chemistry mixture modelling and radiocarbon data

Monitoring data over the period 1994–2007 were analysed for three streams (Cottage Hill Sike, CHS; Rough Sike, RS; Trout Beck, TB) draining blanket peat underlain by glacial clay and limestone-rich sub-strata at Moor House (Northern England). Dissolved organic carbon concentration, [DOC], showed complex relationships with both discharge and calcium concentration, [Ca]. A model based on [Ca] was constructed to simulate stream [DOC] by mixing dissolved organic matter (DOM) from shallow peat, quantified by measured [DOC] (15–30 mg l^?1) in peat porewater, with DOM assumed to be present at a constant concentration (c. 5 mg l^?1) in groundwater. A temperature-based adjustment to the measured porewater [DOC] was required to account for relatively low streamwater [DOC] during winter and spring. The fitted model reproduced short-term variation in streamwater [DOC] satisfactorily, in particular variability in RS and TB due to groundwater contributions. Streamwater DOM is largely derived from surface peat, which accounts for more than 96% of the total DOC flux in both RS and TB, and 100% in CHS. Model outputs were combined with streamwater and porewater DO¹⁴C data to estimate the ¹⁴C contents, and thereby the ages, of DOM from peat and groundwater. The peat-derived DOM is 5 years old on average, with most of it very recently formed. The derived age of groundwater DOM (8,500 years) is comparable to the 4,000–7,000 years estimated from the DO¹⁴C of water extracts of clay underlying the peat, suggesting that the clay is the source of groundwater DOM.     

The influence of temperature and labile C substrates on heterotrophic respiration in response to elevated CO2 and nitrogen fertilization

Important effects of elevated [CO₂] on SOM are expected as a consequence of increased labile organic substrates derived from plants. The present study tests the hypotheses that, under elevated [CO₂]: 1) soil heterotrophic respiration will increase due to roots-microbes-soil interactions; 2) the increased labile C will boost soil heterotrophic respiration, depending on N availability; 3) the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration will change, depending on nitrogen inputs and plant activity. To test these hypotheses, we measured the heterotrophic respiration of intact soil cores collected in a poplar plantation exposed to elevated [CO₂] and two nitrogen inputs, at different temperatures. Additional physical (water content, root biomass) and biochemical parameters (microbial biomass, labile C) were determined on the same samples. The soil samples were collected at the POP-EuroFACE experimental site (Italy), where a Populus x euramericana plantation was exposed for 6 years to 550 ppm [CO₂] (Free Air CO₂ Enrichment) at two different nitrogen inputs (none or 290 kg ha^?1). The higher heterotrophic respiration under elevated [CO₂] (+30% on average) was driven by the larger pool of soil labile C (+57% on average). The temperature sensitivity of soil respiration was unaffected by elevated [CO₂], but was positively affected by N fertilization. Our results indicate that only a fraction of the extra carbon fixed by photosynthesis in elevated [CO₂] will contribute to enhanced carbon storage into the soil because of the contemporary stimulation of soil heterotrophic respiration. At the same time, the fraction remaining in the soil will enhance the pool of soil labile C.     

Availability of glucose and light modulates the structure and function of a microbial biofilm

We have studied the differences in the organic matter processing and biofilm composition and structure between autoheterotrophic and heterotrophic biofilm communities. Microbial communities grown on artificial biofilms were monitored, following incubation under light and dark conditions and with or without the addition of glucose as a labile organic compound. Glucose addition greatly affected the microbial biofilm composition as shown by differences in 16S rRNA gene fingerprints. A significant increase in β-glucosidase and peptidase enzyme activities were also observed in glucose-amended biofilms incubated in the dark, suggesting an active bacterial community. Light enhanced the algal and bacterial growth, as well as higher extracellular enzyme activity, thereby indicating a tight algal–bacterial coupling in biofilms incubated under illumination. In these biofilms, organic compounds excreted by photosynthetic microorganisms were readily available for bacterial heterotrophs. This algal–bacterial relationship weakened in glucose-amended biofilms grown in the light, probably because heterotrophic bacteria preferentially use external labile compounds. These results suggest that the availability of labile organic matter in the flowing water and the presence of light may alter the biofilm composition and function, therefore affecting the processing capacity of organic matter in the stream ecosystem.     

Preparation, Characterization, and Microbial Degradation of Specifically Radiolabeled [14C]Lignocelluloses from Marine and Freshwater Macrophytes

Specifically radiolabeled [¹⁴C-lignin]lignocelluloses were prepared from the aquatic macrophytes Spartina alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Rhizophora mangle, and Carex walteriana by using [¹⁴C]phenylalanine, [¹⁴C]tyrosine, and [¹⁴C]cinnamic acid as precursors. Specifically radiolabeled [¹⁴C-polysaccharide]lignocelluloses were prepared by using [¹⁴C]glucose as precursor. The rates of microbial degradation varied among [¹⁴C-lignin]lignocelluloses labeled with different lignin precursors within the same plant species. To determine the causes of these differential rates, [¹⁴C-lignin]lignocelluloses were thoroughly characterized for the distribution of radioactivity in nonlignin contaminants and within the lignin macromolecule. In herbaceous plants, significant amounts (8 to 24%) of radioactivity from [¹⁴C]phenylalanine and [¹⁴C]tyrosine were found associated with protein, although very little (3%) radioactivity from [¹⁴C]cinnamic acid was associated with protein. Microbial degradation of radiolabeled protein resulted in overestimation of lignin degradation rates in lignocelluloses derived from herbaceous aquatic plants. Other differences in degradation rates among [¹⁴C-lignin]lignocelluloses from the same plant species were attributable to differences in the amount of label being associated with ester-linked subunits of peripheral lignin. After acid hydrolysis of [¹⁴C-polysaccharide]lignocelluloses, radioactivity was detected in several sugars, although most of the radioactivity was distributed between glucose and xylose. After 576 h of incubation with salt marsh sediments, 38% of the polysaccharide component and between 6 and 16% of the lignin component (depending on the precursor) of J. roemerianus lignocellulose was mineralized to ¹⁴CO₂; during the same incubation period, 30% of the polysaccharide component and between 12 and 18% of the lignin component of S. alterniflora lignocellulose was mineralized.     

Isolated osteoclasts resorb the organic and inorganic components of bone

Osteoclasts are the principal resorptive cells of bone, yet their capacity to degrade collagen, the major organic component of bone matrix, remains unexplored. Accordingly, we have studied the bone resorptive activity of highly enriched populations of isolated chicken osteoclasts, using as substrate devitalized rat bone which had been labeled in vivo with L-[5-3H]proline or 45Ca, and bone-like matrix produced and mineralized in vitro by osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cells. When co-cultured with a radiolabeled substrate, osteoclast-mediated mineral mobilization reached a maximal rate within 2 h, whereas organic matrix degradation appeared more slowly, reaching maximal rate by 12-24 h. Thereafter, the rates of organic and inorganic matrix resorption were essentially linear and parallel for at least 6 d when excess substrate was available. Osteoclast-mediated degradation of bone collagen was confirmed by amino acid analysis. 39% of the solubilized tritium was recovered as trans-4-hydroxyproline, 47% as proline. 10,000 osteoclasts solubilized 70% of the total radioactivity and 65% of the [3H]-trans-4-hydroxyproline from 100 micrograms of 25-50 micron bone fragments within 5 d. Virtually all released tritium-labeled protein was of low molecular weight, 99% with Mr less than or equal to 10,000, and 65% with Mr less than or equal to 1,000. Moreover, when the 14% of resorbed [3H]proline-labeled peptides with Mr greater than or equal to 2,000 were examined for the presence of TCA and TCB, the characteristic initial products of mammalian collagenase activity, none was detected by SDS PAGE. In addition, osteoclast-conditioned medium had no collagenolytic activity, and exogenous TCA and TCB fragments were not degraded by osteoclasts. On the other hand, osteoclast lysates have collagenolytic enzyme activity in acidic but not in neutral buffer, with maximum activity at pH 4.0. These data indicate that osteoclasts have the capacity to resorb the organic phase of bone by a process localized to the osteoclast and its attachment site. This process appears to be independent of secretion of neutral collagenase and probably reflects acid protease activity.     

Export of DOC from forested catchments on the Precambrian Shield of Central Ontario: Clues from 13C and 14C

Export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from forested catchmentsis governed by competing processes of production, decomposition, sorptionand flushing. To examine the sources of DOC, carbon isotopes (¹⁴Cand ¹³C) were analyzed in DOC from surface waters, groundwatersand soils in a small forested catchment on the Canadian Shield in centralOntario. A significant fraction (greater than 50%) of DOCin major inflows to the lake is composed of carbon incorporated into organicmatter, solubilized and flushed into the stream within the last 40 years. Incontrast, ¹⁴C in groundwater DOC was old indicating extensiverecycling of forest floor derived organic carbon in the soil column beforeelution to groundwater in the lower B and C soil horizons. A small uplandbasin had a wide range in ¹⁴C from old groundwater values atbaseflow under dry basin conditions to relatively modern values during highflow or wetter antecedent conditions. Wetlands export mainly recently fixedcarbon with little seasonal range. DOC in streams entering the small lakemay be composed of two pools; an older recalcitrant pool delivered bygroundwater and a young labile pool derived from recent organic matter.The relative proportion of these two pools changes seasonally due thechanges in the water flowpaths and organic carbon dynamics. Althoughchanges in local climate (temperature and/or precipitation) may alterthe relative proportions of the old and young pools, the older pool islikely to be more refractory to sedimentation and decomposition in thelake setting. Delivery of older pool DOC from the catchment andsusceptibility of this older pool to photochemical decomposition mayconsequently be important in governing the minimum DOC concentrationlimit in lakes.     

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration and quality in a forested mid-Atlantic watershed, USA

Understanding the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in potential watershed sources is critical for explaining and quantifying the exports of DOM in stream runoff. Here, we examined the concentration and quality of DOM for ten watershed sources in a 12?ha forested catchment over a two-year period. DOM composition was evaluated for: throughfall, litter leachate, soil water (zero and tension), shallow and deep groundwater, stream water, hyporheic zone, and groundwater seeps. DOM quality was measured using a suite of optical indices including UV–visible absorbance and PARAFAC modeling of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs). DOM concentrations and quality displayed a pronounced trend across watershed sources. Surficial watershed sources had higher DOM concentrations and more humic-like DOM with higher molecular weight whereas deeper groundwater sources were rich in % protein-like fluorescence. The greater % contribution of protein-like fluorescence in groundwater suggested that a larger fraction of groundwater DOM may be bioavailable. DOM for wetland groundwater was more aromatic and humic-like than that at the well-drained riparian location. Principal component analyses (PCA) revealed that the differences in surficial watershed compartments were dictated by humic-like components while groundwater sources separated out by % protein-like fluorescence. Observations from optical indices did not provide any conclusive evidence for preferential association of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) with any particular DOM quality pools.     

Sequential bioavailability of sedimentary organic matter to heterotrophic bacteria

Aquatic sediments harbour diverse microbial communities that mediate organic matter degradation and influence biogeochemical cycles. The pool of bioavailable carbon continuously changes as a result of abiotic processes and microbial activity. It remains unclear how microbial communities respond to heterogeneous organic matrices and how this ultimately affects heterotrophic respiration. To explore the relationships between the degradation of mixed carbon substrates and microbial activity, we incubated batches of organic‐rich sediments in a novel bioreactor (IsoCaRB) that permitted continuous observations of CO₂ production rates, as well as sequential sampling of isotopic signatures (δ¹³C, Δ¹⁴C), microbial community structure and diversity, and extracellular enzyme activity. Our results indicated that lower molecular weight (MW), labile, phytoplankton‐derived compounds were degraded first, followed by petroleum‐derived exogenous pollutants, and finally by higher MW polymeric plant material. This shift in utilization coincided with a community succession and increased extracellular enzyme activities. Thus, sequential utilization of different carbon pools induced changes at both the community and cellular level, shifting community composition, enzyme activity, respiration rates, and residual organic matter reactivity. Our results provide novel insight into the accessibility of sedimentary organic matter and demonstrate how bioavailability of natural organic substrates may affect the function and composition of heterotrophic bacterial populations.     

Mineralisation of dissolved organic matter by heterotrophic stream biofilm communities in a large boreal catchment

相似文献   

Biofilm Structure and Function and Possible Implications for Riverine DOC Dynamics

Biofilms are major sites of carbon cycling in streams and rivers. Here we elucidate the relationship between biofilm structure and function and river DOC dynamics. Metabolism (extracellular enzymatic activity) and structure (algae, bacteria, C/N content) of light-grown (in an open channel) and dark-grown (in a dark pipe) biofilms were studied over a year, and variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and biodegradable DOC (BDOC) were also recorded. A laboratory experiment on ¹⁴C-glucose uptake and DOC dynamics was also performed by incubating natural biofilms in microcosms. On the basis of our field (annual DOC budget) and laboratory results, we conclude that light-grown biofilm is, on annual average, a net DOC consumer. This biofilm showed a high monthly variability in DOC uptake/release rates, but, on average, the annual uptake rate was greater than that of the dark-grown biofilm. The higher algal biomass and greater structure of the light-grown biofilm may enhance the development of the bacterial community (bacterial biomass and activity) and microbial heterotrophic activity. In addition, the light-grown biofilm may promote abiotic adsorption because of the development of a polysaccharide matrix. In contrast, the dark-grown biofilm is highly dependent on the amount and quality of organic matter that enters the system and is more efficient in the uptake of labile molecules (higher ¹⁴C-glucose uptake rate per mgC). The positive relationships between the extracellular enzymatic activity of biofilm and DOC and BDOC content in flowing water indicate that biofilm metabolism contributes to DOC dynamics in fluvial systems. Our results show that short-term fluvial DOC dynamics is mainly due to the use and recycling of the more labile molecules. At the river ecosystem level, the potential surface area for biofilm formation and the quantity and quality of available organic carbon might determine the effects of biofilm function on DOC dynamics.     

Metabolism of L-(U-14C)valine, L-(U-14C)leucine, L-(U-14C)histidine and L-(U-14C) phenylalanine by the isolated perfused lactating guinea-pig mammary gland.

1. The incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine, L[U-14C]histidine and L-[U-14C]phenylalanine into casein secreted during perfusion of isolated guinea-pig mammary glands was demonstrated. 2. The extent of incorporation of label into casein residues was consistent with their being derived from free amino acids of the perfusate plasma. 3. The mean transit time of the amino acids from perfusate into secreted casein was approx. 100 min. 4. Whereas radioactive histidine and phenylalanine were incorporated solely into milk protein, radioactivity from [U-14C]valine was also transferred to CO2 and to an unidentified plasma component, and from [U-14C]leucine to plasma glutamic acid. 5. Evidence from experiments with [U-14C]phenylalanine suggests that, as in rats, but in contrast with ruminant species, guinea-pig mammary tissue does not possess phenyl alanine hydroxylase activity. 6. The results are discussed in relation to the possible role of essential amino acid catabolism in the control of milk-protein synthesis.     

Seasonal changes in the chemical quality and biodegradability of dissolved organic matter exported from soils to streams in coastal temperate rainforest watersheds

The composition and biodegradability of streamwater dissolved organic matter (DOM) varies with source material and degree of transformation. We combined PARAFAC modeling of fluorescence excitation–emission spectroscopy and biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) incubations to investigate seasonal changes in the lability of DOM along a soil-stream continuum in three soil types: bog, forested wetland and upland forest. The percent BDOC ranged from 7 to 38% across all sites, and was significantly greater in soil compared to streamwater in the bog and forested wetland, but not in the upland forest. The percent BDOC also varied significantly over the entire sampling period in soil and streamwater for the bog and forested wetland, as BDOC peaked during the spring runoff and was lowest during the summer months. Moreover, the chemical quality of DOM in wetland soil and streamwater was similar during the spring runoff and fall wet season, as demonstrated by the similar contribution of protein-like fluorescence (sum of tyrosine and tryptophan fluorescence) in soil water and in streams. These findings suggest that the tight coupling between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is responsible for the delivery of labile DOM from wetland soils to streams. The contribution of protein-like fluorescence was significantly correlated with BDOC (p < 0.001) over the entire sampling period indicating DOM is an important source of C and N for heterotrophic microbes. Taken together, our findings suggest that the production of protein-rich, labile DOM and subsequent loss in stream runoff might be an important loss of labile C and N from coastal temperate watersheds.