Kaplan, L.A., and T.L. Bott. 1985. Freshwater Biology 15:479–492.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1985.tb00218.x
Summary
- Studies were performed to assess the acclimation of the stream-bed heterotrophic microflora to sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) typical of its environment and microfloral responses to pulses of DOM.
- Microcosm measurements of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) uptake, dissolved oxygen uptake. ATP concentration and epifluorescence microscopic counts (EMC) were performed using stream-bed sediments and heterogeneous dissolved organic matter (DOM) sources.
- Three study sites included an undisturbed woodlot spring seep, a small stream traversing a cattle pasture and a larger stream draining a catchment used for silage crops, pastures and woodlands.
- The DOM sources were cold water extracts of forest floor leaf litter, bovine manure, the green alga Ulothrix and jewel weed (Impatiens capensis L.) leaves.
- DOC uptake occurring in 2.5–5.0 h incubations indicated an acclimation of the microflora at each site to DOM sources generated by surrounding land use.
- The sediment microflora from the larger stream did not readily metabolize bovine manure DOM and the latter was used in an acclimation experiment.
- A minimum of 48 h of cumulative exposure to bovine manure DOM at 15–20°C were required to yield measurable changes in sediment microbial activity of sediment microbial biomass.
- The same microflora retained an ability to readily metabolize the added DOM source after 72 h of exposure to unamended stream water.
- The time frame of microfloral responses during acclimation indicated that changes leading to the metabolism of a DOM source were initially enzymatic and eventually involved growth and selection for specific decomposers within the microbial community.
- We conclude that in order to utilize naturally occurring pulses of carbon and energy, stream-bed heterotrophs must be already enzymatically prepared, induced, when the pulse occurs.
