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DOI 10.1007/s00248-004-0270-9
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Title (Primary) High heterotrophic bacterial production in acidic, iron-rich mining lakes
Author Kamjunke, N.; Tittel, J.; Krumbeck, H.; Beulker, C.; Poerschmann, J.
Source Titel Microbial Ecology
Year 2005
Department TUCHEM; SEEFO
Volume 49
Issue 3
Page From 425
Page To 433
Language englisch
Abstract The acidic mining lakes of Eastern Germany are characterized by their extremely low pH and high iron concentrations. Low concentrations of CO2 in the epilimnion due to the low pH and reduced light transmission due to dissolved ferric iron potentially limit phytoplankton primary production (PP), whereas dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may promote heterotrophic production of bacteria (HP). We, therefore, tested whether HP exceeds PP in three lakes differing in pH and iron concentration (mean pH 2.3–3.0, 23–500 mg Fe L−1). Bacterial biomass and HP achieved highest values in the most acidic, most iron-rich lake, whereas PP was highest in the least acidic lake. HP was often higher than PP (ratio HP/PP up to 11), indicating that planktonic PP was not the main carbon source for the bacteria. HP was not related to PP and DOC, but HP as well as bacterial biomass increased with decreasing pH. Light stimulated the formation of ferrous iron, changed the DOC composition, and increased the HP in laboratory experiments, suggesting that iron photoreduction caused DOC degradation. This may explain why we found the highest HP in the most acidic and most rich lake. Overall, the importance of bacteria in the cycling of matter and as a basis for the whole food web seemed to increase in more acidic lakes with higher iron concentrations.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3492
Kamjunke, N., Tittel, J., Krumbeck, H., Beulker, C., Poerschmann, J. (2005):
High heterotrophic bacterial production in acidic, iron-rich mining lakes
Microb. Ecol. 49 (3), 425 - 433 10.1007/s00248-004-0270-9