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Identification of biomass utilizing bacteria in a carbon‐depleted glacier forefield soil by the use of 13 C DNA stable isotope probing
Author(s) -
Zumsteg Anita,
Schmutz Stefan,
Frey Beat
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12027
Subject(s) - biomass (ecology) , bacteria , stable isotope probing , identification (biology) , dna , chemistry , stable isotope ratio , carbon fibers , glacier , isotopes of carbon , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , environmental chemistry , botany , biochemistry , microorganism , genetics , materials science , physics , ecology , total organic carbon , paleontology , composite number , composite material , quantum mechanics
Summary As A lpine glaciers are retreating rapidly, bare soils with low organic C and N contents are becoming exposed. Carbon availability is a key factor regulating microbial diversity and ecosystem functioning in these soils. The aim of this study was to investigate how bacterial activity, community structure and composition are influenced by organic carbon availability. Bare soils were supplied with 13 C ‐labelled fungal ( P enicillium sp.) and green algal ( C hlorella sp.) biomass and the CO 2 evolution and its δ 13 C signature were monitored up to 60 days. These organisms have previously been isolated near the glacier terminus. DNA stable isotope probing followed by T ‐ RFLP profiling and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was employed to identify consumers able to assimilate carbon from these biomass amendments. Higher respiration and higher bacterial activity indicated a more efficient utilization of algal cells than fungal cells. F lavobacterium sp. predominantly incorporated fungal‐derived C , whereas the algal‐derived C was mainly incorporated by A cidobacteria and P roteobacteria . This study emphasizes the important role of both fungal and algal biomass in increasing the carbon pool in recently deglaciated bare soils, as only 20% of the added C was respired as CO 2 , and the rest, we presume, remained in the soil.