Journal article
Global Patterns and Controls of Nutrient Immobilization on Decomposing Cellulose in Riverine Ecosystems
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Vol.36(3), pp.1-15
2022
Abstract
Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and influence the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. When decomposing low-nutrient plant litter, microbes acquire nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the environment (i.e., nutrient immobilization), and this process is potentially sensitive to nutrient loading and changing climate. Nonetheless, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood because rates are also influenced by plant litter chemistry, which is coupled to the same environmental factors. Here we used a standardized, low-nutrient organic matter substrate (cotton strips) to quantify nutrient immobilization at 100 paired stream and riparian sites representing 11 biomes worldwide. Immobilization rates varied by three orders of magnitude, were greater in rivers than riparian zones, and were strongly correlated to decomposition rates. In rivers, P immobilization rates were controlled by surface water phosphate concentrations, but N immobilization rates were not related to inorganic N. The N:P of immobilized nutrients was tightly constrained to a molar ratio of 10:1 despite wide variation in surface water N:P. Immobilization rates were temperature-dependent in riparian zones but not related to temperature in rivers. However, in rivers nutrient supply ultimately controlled whether microbes could achieve the maximum expected decomposition rate at a given temperature. Collectively, we demonstrated that exogenous nutrient supply and immobilization are critical control points for decomposition of organic matter.
Details
- Title
- Global Patterns and Controls of Nutrient Immobilization on Decomposing Cellulose in Riverine Ecosystems
- Authors
- David M Costello (Corresponding Author) - Kent State UniversityScott D Tiegs (Corresponding Author) - Oakland UniversityLuz Boyero (Author) - University of the Basque CountryCristina Canhoto (Author) - University of CoimbraKrista A Capps (Author) - University of GeorgiaMichael Danger (Author) - Université de LorrainePaul C Frost (Author) - Trent UniversityMark O Gessner (Author) - Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland FisheriesNatalie A Griffiths (Author) - Oak Ridge National LaboratoryHalvor M Halvorson (Author) - University of Central ArkansasKevin A Kuehn (Author) - University of Southern MississippiRemaining authors on full textCatherine Yule (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringYixin Zhang (Author) - Soochow UniversityJacob A Zwart (Author) - United States Geological Survey
- Publication details
- Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Vol.36(3), pp.1-15
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1029/2021GB007163
- ISSN
- 1944-9224
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99620507302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
- Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
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Source: InCites