Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.07.005
Title (Primary) Assessing biodegradation benefits from dispersal networks
Author Banitz, T. ORCID logo ; Fetzer, I.; Johst, K.; Wick, L.Y.; Harms, H.; Frank, K. ORCID logo
Source Titel Ecological Modelling
Year 2011
Department OESA; UMB
Volume 222
Issue 14
Page From 2552
Page To 2560
Language englisch
Keywords Bacterial model; Bioremediation; Organic pollutants; Bioavailability; Fungal networks
Abstract The performance of biodegradation of organic pollutants in soil often depends on abiotic conditions and the bioavailability of these pollutants to degrading bacteria. In this context, bacterial dispersal is an essential aspect. Recent studies on the potential promotion of bacterial dispersal by fungal hyphae raised the idea of specifically applying fungal networks to accelerate bacterial degradation processes in situ. Our objective is to investigate these processes and their performance via simulation modelling and address the following questions: (1) Under what abiotic conditions can dispersal networks significantly improve bacterial degradation? and (2) To what extent does the spatial configuration of the networks influence the degradation performance? To answer these questions, we developed a spatially explicit bacterial colony model, which is applied to controlled laboratory experiments with Pseudomonas putida G7 organisms as a case study. Using this model, we analyzed degradation performance in response to different environmental scenarios and showed that conditions of limited bacterial dispersal also limit degradation performance. Under such conditions, dispersal networks have the highest potential for improving the bioavailability of pollutants to bacteria. We also found that degradation performance significantly varies with the spatial configuration of the dispersal networks applied and the time horizon over which performance is assessed. Regarding future practical applications, our results suggest that (1) fungal networks may dramatically improve initially adverse conditions for biodegradation of pollutants in soil, and (2) the network's spatial structure and accessibility are decisive for the success of such tasks.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=10890
Banitz, T., Fetzer, I., Johst, K., Wick, L.Y., Harms, H., Frank, K. (2011):
Assessing biodegradation benefits from dispersal networks
Ecol. Model. 222 (14), 2552 - 2560 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.07.005