Vallisneria natans decomposition rates and associated macroinvertebrates,microbes and microalgae along a vertical depth gradient in an urban lake (Nanhu Lake,China)

Knowledge on aquatic macrophyte decomposition has well developed, yet the decomposition and associated biotic factors along a vertical gradient in waters remain less examined. Here, we used Vallianeria natans leaves to investigate the decomposition rate and associated decomposers and microalgae at different vertical depths, by placing V. natans leaves into litterbags (0.5 and 5?mm meshes) and incubating them at the air–water interface (AW), sediment-water (SW) interface, and 10?cm (B10) or 20?cm (B20) burial in sediment over 60 days in a littoral zone of lake. Decomposition rates decreased with increased depths in each mesh size, with significant differences among and between AW (0.028?d^?1), SW (0.022?d^?1), B10 (0.014?d^?1) and B20 (0.011?d^?1) treatments in 0.5?mm litterbags and no significant difference between B10 (0.027?d^?1) and B20 (0.025?d^?1) in 5?mm litterbags. The average contribution of macroinvertebrates to biomass loss was highest in B20 (44.66%), lowest in AW (22.66%) and midst in both SW (25.35%) and B10 (38.78%), and was much less than that of both microbes and microalgae at each location. We show the importance of macroinvertebrates, microbes and microalgae in mediating macrophyte decomposition rate in response to different vertical locations in freshwaters.     

Canopy and leaf composition drive patterns of nutrient release from pruning residues in a coffee agroforest

In a coffee agroforest, the crop is cultivated under the shade of fruit-bearing and nitrogen (N)-fixing trees. These trees are periodically pruned to promote flowering and fruiting as well as to make nutrients stored in tree biomass available to plants. We investigated the effect of canopy composition and substrate quality on decomposition rates and patterns of nutrient release from pruning residues in a coffee agroforest located in Costa Rica's Central Valley. Initial phosphorus (P) release was enhanced under a canopy composed solely of N-fixing, Erythrina poeppigiana compared to a mixed canopy of Erythrina and Musa acuminata (banana). Both initial and final N release were similar under the two canopy types. However, after five months of decomposition, a higher proportion of initial N had been released under the single canopy. Although patterns of decomposition and nutrient release were not predicted by initial substrate quality, mass loss in leaf mixtures rates were well predicted by mean mass loss of their component species. This study identifies specific pruning regimes that may regulate N and P release during crucial growth periods, and it suggests that strategic pruning can enhance nutrient availability. For example, during the onset of rapid fruit growth, a two-species mixture may release more P than a three-species mixture. However, by the time of the harvest, the two- and three-species mixtures have released roughly the same amount of N and P. These nutrients do not always follow the same pattern, as N release can be maximized in single-species substrates, while P release is often facilitated in species mixtures. Our study indicates the importance of management practices in mediating patterns of nutrient release. Future research should investigate how canopy composition and farm management can also mediate on-farm nutrient losses.     

Changes in nutrient content and stable isotope ratios of C and N during decomposition of seagrasses and mangrove leaves along a nutrient availability gradient in Florida Bay,USA

The decomposition of the mangrove Rhizophora mangle and the seagrass Thalassia testudinum was examined using litterbags along a natural gradient in nutrient availability. Seagrass leaves had a higher fraction of their biomass in the labile pool (57%), compared to mangrove leaves (36%) and seagrass rhizomes (29%); the overall decomposition rates of the starting material reflected the fractionation into labile and refractory components. There was no relationship between the N or P content of the starting material and the decomposition rate.

Nutrient availability had no influence on decomposition rate, and mass was lost at the same rate from litterbags that were buried in the sediment and litterbags that were left on the sediment surface. The dynamics of N and P content during decomposition varied as a function of starting material and burial state. N content of decomposing mangrove leaves increased, but seagrass rhizomes decreased in N content during decomposition while there was no change in seagrass leaf N content. These same general patterns held for P content, but buried seagrass leaves increased in P content while surficial leaves decreased. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N changed by as much as 2‰ during decomposition.     

Photosynthetic and growth responses of Japanese sasabamo (Potamogeton wrightii Morong) under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions

Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to examine how photosynthesis and growth occur in Potamogeton wrightii Morong under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions. The experiment was based on a 3×2 factorial design with three photoperiods (16, 12 and 8 h) of 200 μE · m^?2·s^?1 irradiance and two nutrient conditions, high (90 μmol N · L^?1·d^?1 and 9 μmol P · L^?1·d^?1) and low (30 μmol N L^?1·d^?1 and 3 μmol P · L^?1·d^?1). After 14, 28, 56 and 70 days of growth, plants were harvested to determine net photosynthesis rate and various growth parameters. Above- and below-ground biomass were investigated on days 56 and 70 only. Plants under low nutrient conditions had greater leaf area, more chlorophyll a, a higher rate of net photosynthesis and accumulated more above- and below-ground biomass than plants in the high nutrient condition. Plants with an 8 h photoperiod in the low nutrient condition had a significantly higher rate of net photosynthesis, whereas 8 h photoperiod plants in the high nutrient condition had a lower rate of net photosynthesis and their photosynthetic capacity collapsed on day 70. We conclude that P. wrightii has the photosynthetic plasticity to overcome the effects of a shorter photoperiod under a tolerable nutrient state.     

Morphological plasticity of submerged macrophyte Potamogeton wrightii Morong under different photoperiods and nutrient conditions

The morphological plasticity of the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton wrightii under different nutrient conditions and photoperiods was measured in a laboratory controlled experiment for 70 days in Japan. Six treatments were used in this experiment (3 × 2 factorial design with three replications) which consisted of three photoperiods and two nutrient conditions. Both photoperiod and nutrient condition had a pronounced effect on shoot and leaf morphology in P. wrightii. New shoot recruitment, and the length of main and new shoots gradually decreased with shortening photoperiod under both nutrient treatments. Plants under an 8 h photoperiod and high nutrient levels generated significantly more dead leaves (7.42 leaf·shoot^?1) and decomposed shoots (1.3 shoots·pot^?1) than plants under other treatments. Under short photoperiods (12 and 8 h) plants failed to produce flowering spikes in both nutrient conditions. In high nutrient conditions, P. wrightii produced shorter shoots, fewer leaves with shorter and narrower laminas, and smaller petioles compared with plants in the low nutrient condition. This may be adaptive under high nutrient conditions because it lowers foliar uptake and, thus, nutrient toxicity.     

Influence of varying nutrient and pesticide mixtures on abatement efficiency using a vegetated free water surface constructed wetland mesocosm

The nutrient and pesticide abatement efficiency of varying mixtures was examined in a vegetated free water surface constructed wetland. Three different agricultural chemical pollutant mixture conditions were assessed: nutrients only (N and P); pesticides only (atrazine, S-metolachlor and permethrin); and a mixture of nutrients and pesticides. With nutrients only, 672 h nutrient mitigation of 77–91% total phosphorous (TP) and 74–98% total nitrogen (TN) was associated with distance from the injection point and rainfall, whereas with nutrient and pesticide mixtures, 672 h nutrient mitigation of 11–71% TP and 84–98% TN were associated with distance and time. With pesticides only, 672 h pesticide mitigation of 50–99% was associated with distance and time, whereas with nutrients and pesticide mixtures, 672 h pesticide mitigation of 48–99% was associated primarily with distance. Dissipation half-lives were 2–10 times greater for P and 1.5–5 times greater for N when pesticides were present. Pesticide dissipation half-lives showed no clear differences with or without nutrients. While vegetated free water surface constructed wetlands can be effective best management practice tools to trap and abate agricultural run-off during rainfall events, efficiencies can be affected by different types of complex pollutant mixtures and wetland design and implementation should accommodate varying efficiencies.     

Nutrients uptake and growth of Ulva lactuca (Linnaeus, 1753) in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) wastewater versus natural estuarine water

This study investigates the capability of Ulva lactuca to grow in an integrated system, aiming to optimise the needing of resources and to decrease the ecological impact of wastewater. The nutrients uptake and the growth of U. lactuca in Mugil cephalus wastewater (WW) were evaluated and compared with U. lactuca cultivated in estuarine water (EW). Fresh thalli of U. lactuca were cultivated for 10 days in 5?L cylindrical tanks, 3 replicates per treatment. The uptake of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorous (DIP), as well as the biomass yield and specific growth rate of U. lactuca, were assessed every two days. At the end of the experiment, U. lactuca resulted in a higher assimilation of DIN in EW (95.7?±?0.3%, mean?±?SE) than in wastewater (68.7?±?1.0%) (p?80%), as well as in the biomass yield and specific growth rate. This study demonstrates the efficiency of U. lactuca in the assimilation of DIN and DIP from M. cephalus WW, contributing to reduce the release of dissolved inorganic nutrients in the natural environment.     

Impact of litter removal on soil characteristics under a Pinus caribaea stand

ABSTRACT

Forest productivity is dependent on soil quality, which in turn is related to litter; yet there is limited understanding of the relationships between litter and soil quality. The effects of litter removal treatment on tree growth and soil properties were examined in a Pinus caribaea stand with the aim of providing an understanding of consequences of litter removal on soil patterns. This knowledge is important for planning appropriate long-term forest management. Three pairs of 30 × 30 m² plots (each pair a control and treatment) were established in the center of a P. caribaea stand in April 2002. The controls were left undisturbed with an intact litter layer, while litter was removed monthly from treated plots. The diameter and height of the P. caribaea decreased and soil quality was degraded over the experimental period in litter-removed (treated) plots. Litter removal also produced a significant increase in soil bulk density at 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths. The capillary porosity, capillary moisture capacity, and natural water content in controls at 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths were significantly greater than treated plots. The non-capillary porosity in controls at the 0–20 cm depth was also significantly higher than treated plots. The organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), total potassium (K) and alkalized N content in each layer, and available P and exchangeable K at 0–20 and 40–60 cm depths in control plots were significantly greater than litter-removed plots. The numbers of bacteria at 0–20 and 40–60 cm depths and of fungi at 20–40 and 40–60 cm depths were higher in control than treated plots. The number of actinomyces and urease, catalase, and acid phosphatase activities in controls at each depth were significantly greater than litter-removed plots.     

Photosynthetic and morphological photoacclimation of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to season, depth and leaf position

The photoacclimation capacity of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa was evaluated considering temporal (i.e. seasonal) and spatial (i.e. depth and within-leaf position) factors of variation. Changes along the leaf were measured in a population growing along a depth gradient (from intertidal to subtidal) in Cadiz Bay (Southern Spain) from 2004 to 2005. Photoacclimation was evaluated by photosynthesis (P–E curves), pigment content and leaf morphology. Plants of Cymodocea nodosa showed large physiological and morphological plasticity (mean %CV = 35.8 ± 3.4) according to the three factors considered. Seasonal patterns appeared for photosynthesis, respiration, pigment content and morphology. Nevertheless, seasonal patterns were not consistent with depth or leaf portions. The resulting data set offered different information depending on the analysis conducted; when only one factor (season, depth or leaf portion) was considered, some tendencies observed in the 3-way full design were masked. Accordingly, considering spatio–temporal variability is crucial when describing photoacclimation and estimating productivity in seagrass meadows.     

Effects of visible light radiation on macrophyte litter degradation and nutrient release in water samples from a eutrophic shallow lake

Visible light is a major fraction of the solar spectrum; however, information on visible light radiation of macrophyte detritus is lacking. In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment to assess the effects of visible light radiation on degradation of two litter species: Potamogeton malaianus (P. malaianus) and Phragmites australis (Ph. australis). This research represents an investigation of mass loss, microbial activity and nutrients released over a period of 168 days. Overall, we found that visible light radiation had significant effects on litter decomposition, but it did not affect the microbial activities which degrade cellulose and lignin. The decomposition rate order of the three components in P. malaianus and Ph. australis in treatments was: cellulose?>?hemicellulose?>?lignin. The visible light radiation mainly affected the degradation of lignin, which is the primary compound in litter susceptible to photodegradation. The exposure to visible light radiation up to 17.6?Wm^?2 stimulated the dissolved organic carbon release and reduced the molecular weight to less reactive. Meanwhile, no obvious difference in nutrient contents (TP, TN, NO₃–N, NO₂–N, and NH₃–N) was observed among different visible light intensities. The results of this study contribute to better understanding of the photochemical behaviour of macrophyte litter in shallow lakes.     

Release of dissolved organic matter by some marine macrophytes

The amount of photoassimilated carbon released as dissolved organic carbon was investigated for 5 species of benthic marine macrophytes (Thalassia testudinum, Diplanthera wrightii, Acanthophora spicifera, Chondria dasyphylla, and Dictyota dichotoma) and 1 species of pelagic marine macrophyte (Sargassum natans). Release rates ranged between 0.006 and 0.053 mg C g^-1 h^-1. Percent release values ranged from 1.1 to 3.8%. Spermatophytes had slightly lower percent release values than algae. Investigations performed on the ability of release products to be utilized by heterotrophic organisms showed that 20 to 30% of the released organic carbon was assimilated within a 2-h period.     

Relationships between nutrients and macroalgal biomass in a brazilian coastal lagoon: the impact of a lock construction

The Piratininga Lagoon is a coastal, choked, and brackish ecosystem in SE Brazil, where uncontrolled discharge of domestic sewage led to eutrophication, increasing massive proliferation of benthic macroalgae, and decrease of the lagoon mean depth. In 1992, a dam was constructed by the local Municipality at its tidal channel aiming at stabilising its water level. Main physico-chemical parameters, together with macroalgae biomass, nutrient concentrations in the water column, particulate organic carbon, and chlorophyll a were recorded monthly at 4 sampling stations within the Piratininga lagoon from April 1994 to April 1995. The data, compared with “before-lock” existing studies, show that nutrients and chlorophyll a concentrations significantly increased after the lock construction. Based on the functioning of the ecosystem, we propose to harvest the algal mats before their decomposition period in order to partly remove the nutrient stocks from the lagoon and the future ecosystem modelling to predict the impact of natural and anthropogenic eutrophication.     

Loss of organic matter and nutrients from a coastal dune heath in Northwest Denmark caused by fire

The loss of organic matter and nutrients due to a natural fire in a Danish coastal dune heath system (175 ha) was studied for three heath types: dryEmpetrum nigrum heath, moistE. nigrum-Vaccinium uliginosum heath, and wetErica tetralix-Molinia coerulea heath. The highest loss of organic matter, as well as N, P and K, was found in the moist heath (67%, 68%, 20% and 25% respectively). The lowest loss was found in the wet heath (35%, 28%, 14%, and 11% respectively). The loss in the dry heath was intermediate. For the burnt heath in total, loss of organic matter, N, P and K of about 13000, 192, 10 and 6 tons respectively, was estimated. Processes of nutrient loss by fire and regeneration of nutrients are discussed.     

Higher nitrates, P and lower pH in soils under medicinal plants versus crop plants

This report shows a higher soil quality under medicinal plants versus food-crop plants. Long-term continuous cultivation of food crops induces changes of soil properties that can lead to fertility loss and, in turn, decline of food productivity. Effect of cropping on soil changes has been studied mainly for food crops and vegetables worldwide, whereas soil changes in herbal fields are scarcely known. Therefore, we compared here soil nutrients and soil chemical properties of herbal fields, cultivated with Chinese medicinal plants, and food-crop fields. Fields are located at the famous traditional planting base of Chinese medicinal plants in Anguo, China. The results showed that in herbal fields, soil nitrate, available P, soil organic matter (SOM), and electrical conductivity decreased with soil depth, whereas soil pH and soil water content increased with depth. In herbal fields, soil nitrate, available P contents, and soil electrical conductivity were higher than those of food-crop fields at various soil layers. SOM and soil water content were similar in herbal and food-crop fields. Soil pH of herbal fields at 0–20 cm was lower than those of food-crop fields. Findings show overall that soil nutrient accumulation and changes under medicinal plants are higher than food-crop fields.     

Duckweed: an effective tool for phyto-remediation

Effective wastewater treatment through conventional methods that rely on heavy aeration are expensive to install and operate. Duckweed is capable of recovering or extracting nutrients or pollutants and is an excellent candidate for bio-remediation of wastewaters. Such plants grow very fast, utilizing wastewater nutrients and also yield cost effective protein-rich biomass as a by-product. Duckweeds being tiny surface-floating plants are easy to harvest and have an appreciable amount of protein (15%–45% dry mass basis) and a lower fiber (7%–14% dry mass basis) content. Besides nutrient extraction, duckweeds has been found to reduce total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand in wastewater significantly. Depending on the initial concentrations of nutrients, duckweed-covered systems can remove nitrate (NO₃^?) at daily rates of 120–590 mg NO₃^? m^?2 (73%–97% of initial concentration) and phosphate (PO₄^?) at 14–74 mg PO₄^? m^?2 (63%–99% of initial concentration). Removal efficiencies within 3 days of 96% and 99% have been reported for BOD and ammonia (NH₃). Besides several genera of duckweeds (Spirodela, Lemna, Wolffia), other surface-floating aquatic plants like water hyacinth (Eichhornia) are well known for their phyto-remediation qualities.     

Nutrient stimulation of spore settlement in the kelpsPterygophora californica andMacrocystis pyrifera

FertilePterygophora californica Rupr. andMacrocystis pyrifera (L.) C.Ag. were collected in California, USA, from 1987 to 1989. Settlement activity of the spores was stimulated by nutrients, but this was not constant over time. Nutrients had no effect on the settlement ofP. californica spores between 2 and 18 h after sunrise, but settlement activity was stimulated by a nutrient mixture between 20 and 24 h after sunrise (14 to 18 h after release). Settlement activity inM. pyrifera spores was unaffected at 2 to 3 h after release, but settlement activity was significantly stimulated from 5 to 12 h after release. A variety of individual nutrients significantly stimulated settlement in 8 to 9 h oldM. pyrifera spores: ammonium, nitrate, glycine, phosphate, manganese-EDTA (18µM), borate, ferrous iron-EDTA, and ferric iron-EDTA. Spores also settled readily in unenriched artificial seawater, and nutrient-stimulated settlement rates were usually 150% of the unenriched control levels. Neither EDTA alone, cobalt-EDTA, nor manganese-EDTA (2µM) had significant effects onM. pyrifera spore settlement. The effects of time and of several individual nutrients on spore settlement activity are different from previously reported chemotactic effects of nutrients onP. californica andM. pyrifera spores. It is suggested that nutrient settlement-stimulation is mechanistically different from nutrient chemotaxis. However, like chemotaxis, settlement stimulation is probably an adaptation which increases the likelihood of spore settlement in microhabitats suitable for subsequent growth and reproduction of gametophytes.     

Soil effects of six different two-species litter mixtures that include Ulmus pumila

The tree species that contribute to decomposed leaf litter can have important effects on soil properties and thus nutrient cycling and interactions between tree species. We examined ground leaf litter and soil mixtures consisting of leaves from Ulmus pumila (Up) combined individually with leaves from one of six other species: Betula platyphylla (Bp), Quercus liaotungensis (Ql), Salix matsudana (Sm), Hippophae rhamnoides (Hr), Caragana microphylla (Cm), and Amorpha fruticosa (Af). The soil–litter mixtures were incubated for 120 days to analyse the effects of their decomposition on soil properties and to determine the interactions between the different types of litter within each mixture. The decomposed litter mixtures were composed of Up combined with Sm- or Hr-improved soil fertility relative to the pure Up mixture, but the decomposed litter mixtures were composed of Up combined with Cm-, Af-, or Ql-diminished soil properties. Three leaf mixture treatments, namely Up?×?Bp, Up?×?Sm, and Up?×?Hr, exhibited synergistic effects on soil properties (i.e. soil properties exceeding the predicted values); however, three other treatments, namely Up?×?Ql, Up?×?Cm, and Up?×?Af, exhibited antagonistic effects (i.e. properties below the predicted values). Therefore, litter from Bp, Sm, or Hr should be mixed with Up to improve soil fertility and production in plantations.     

Effects of dissolved ammonium addition and host feeding with Artemia salina on photoacclimation of the hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata

 Effects of nutrient treatments on photoacclimation of the hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata (Esper) were studied. Studies on photoacclimation of colonies from different light regimes in the field were evaluated and used to design laboratory experiments. Coral colonies were collected in the Gulf of Eilat (Israel) from January to March 1993. Exterior branches of colonies from different depths (1 to 40 m) displayed different trends in production characteristics at reduced and very low levels of illumination. From 24 ± 3% to 12 ± 2% of incident surface photosynthetic active radiation (PAR_o), zooxanthella population density and chlorophyll a+c per 10⁶ zooxanthellae increased, a trend seen in the range of light levels optimal for coral growth (90 to 30% PAR_o). The P _max of CO₂ per 10⁶ zooxanthellae decreased, while P _max of CO₂ per 10³ polyps increased, indicating an increase in zooxanthella population density at low light levels. Proliferous zooxanthella frequency (PZF, a measure of zooxanthella division) declined significantly at light levels <18 ± 3% PAR_o. At the lowest levels of illumination (<5% PAR_o), zooxanthella population density decreased, as did the PZF; chl a+c per 10⁶ zooxanthellae was unchanged. In 28-d experiments, exterior coral branches from the upper surfaces of colonies from 3 m depth (65 ± 4% PAR_o) were incubated in aquaria under bright (80 to 90% PAR_o), reduced (20 to 30% PAR_o), and extremely low (2 to 4% PAR_o) light intensities. At each light intensity, the corals were maintained in three feeding treatments: sea water (SW); ammonium enriched SW (SW + N); SW with Artemia salina nauplii (SW + A). An increase in P _max of CO₂ per 10³ polyps was found in corals acclimated to reduced light (20 to 30% PAR_o) in nutrient-enriched SW, while in SW, where the increase in zooxanthella population density was smaller, it did not occur. Nutrient enrichments (SW + N at 2 to 4% PAR_o and SW + A at 20 to 30% PAR_o) increased zooxanthella population density, but had no effect on chl a+c per 10⁶ zooxanthellae. Acclimation for 14 d to reduced (10 to 20% PAR_o) and extremely low (1 to 3% PAR_o) light intensities shifted ¹⁴C photoassimilation into glycerol and other compounds (probably glycerides), rather than sugars. Both ammonium addition and feeding with Artemia salina nauplii resulted in an increase in photosynthetic assimilation of ¹⁴C into amino acids. We conclude that acclimation to reduced light consists of two processes: an increase in photosynthetic pigments and in zooxanthella population density. Both processes require nitrogen, the increase in zooxanthella population density needing more; this adaptation is therefore limited in nitrogen-poor sea water. Received: 19 June 1998 / Accepted: 13 June 2000     

Positive relationships between phenol oxidase activity and extractable phenolics in estuarine soils

Decomposition of recalcitrant materials such as phenolics is known to play a pivotal role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in estuaries. The specific goals of this study were to determine temporal and spatial variations of phenol oxidase and phenolics in estuarine soils, and to elucidate controlling factors for phenol oxidase activity. To achieve these goals, phenol oxidase activity and phenolic content were measured in soils developed along the side of an estuary in the Han River, Korea. Soil samples were collected in three locations with different vegetation: mud flats, Zizania-dominated soils, and Salix-dominated soils. Monthly measurements were also made in a Zizania-dominated site over a year period. Phenol oxidase activity varied between 0.00 and 0.28 diqc min^?1 g^?1, whilst phenolic content ranged from 0.0–10.5 μg g^?1. A correlation analysis revealed that phenol oxidase activity exhibited positive correlations with phenolic content in both seasonal and spatial data. The same relationship was found when the data were analysed separately for each site. Unlike peatlands or upland forest soils where negative correlations were often found between phenol oxidase activity and phenolics, substrate induction appears to account for the positive correlation in the present study.