Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10533-012-9791-3 |
| Document | Shareable Link |
| Title (Primary) | Microbial cell-envelope fragments and the formation of soil organic matter - a case study from a glacier forefield |
| Author | Schurig, C.; Smittenberg, R.; Berger, J.; Kraft, F.; Woche, S.K.; Goebel, M.-O.; Heipieper, H.J.
; Miltner, A.
; Kästner, M. |
| Source Titel | Biogeochemistry |
| Year | 2013 |
| Department | UBT |
| Volume | 113 |
| Issue | 1-3 |
| Page From | 595 |
| Page To | 612 |
| Language | englisch |
| Supplements | https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10533-012-9791-3/MediaObjects/10533_2012_9791_MOESM1_ESM.tif https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10533-012-9791-3/MediaObjects/10533_2012_9791_MOESM2_ESM.tif https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10533-012-9791-3/MediaObjects/10533_2012_9791_MOESM3_ESM.tif https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10533-012-9791-3/MediaObjects/10533_2012_9791_MOESM4_ESM.tif |
| Keywords | SOM formation; Microbial cell-envelope residues; PLFA; FA; C/N ratio; Contact angle; Hydrophobicity; Chronosequence; Glacier forefield |
| UFZ wide themes | ru3 |
| Abstract | Genesis of soil organic matter (SOM) during pedogenesis is still a
matter of controversy in soil science. Recently, it was
hypothesized that microbial cell-envelope fragments
contribute significantly to SOM formation. We tested the relevance of
this process during pedogenesis by evaluating the
development of SOM along a chronosequence of a glacier forefield (Damma
glacier). Samples of increasing soil age collected along the
forefield were analyzed for C and N contents, phospholipid and
total fatty acids (PLFA and tFA), water contact angle,
micro-hydrophobicity and surface coverage by microbial cell-envelope
residues. The surface coverage was visualized and quantified
by analysis of representative, equally-scaled scanning electron
micrographs (SEM). Increasing SOM contents were accompanied
by increasing coverage and overall abundance of microbial cell-envelope
fragments as evaluated on the basis of scanning electron
microscopy; this is also reflected in the amounts of tFA and PLFA,
the trend of C/N ratios, and the increasing hydrophobicity
and water contact angles of the soil samples. Using SEM and the
image analysis approach, we can provide a process-based
description of the development of SOM in the newly developing ecosystem
of the glacier forefield. The majority of small-sized SOM
visible with scanning electron microscopy appears to consist of
bacterial cell envelope fragments that remain stable after
cell death, such that their shape does not change with soil age.
Our results show the importance of microbial processing of
SOM, and highlight the existence of microbial necromass as a significant
part of the fine-particulate SOM even in later stages of
soil development. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12847 |
| Schurig, C., Smittenberg, R., Berger, J., Kraft, F., Woche, S.K., Goebel, M.-O., Heipieper, H.J., Miltner, A., Kästner, M. (2013): Microbial cell-envelope fragments and the formation of soil organic matter - a case study from a glacier forefield Biogeochemistry 113 (1-3), 595 - 612 10.1007/s10533-012-9791-3 |
|