Premium
Nutrient input influences fungal community composition and size and can stimulate manganese ( II ) oxidation in caves
Author(s) -
Carmichael Sarah K.,
Zorn Bryan T.,
Santelli Cara M.,
Roble Leigh A.,
Carmichael Mary J.,
Bräuer Suzanna L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12291
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , cave , environmental chemistry , ecosystem , organic matter , nutrient cycle , soil water , nutrient , microbial population biology , ecology , manganese , biology , chemistry , bacteria , organic chemistry , genetics
Summary Little is known about the fungal role in biogeochemical cycling in oligotrophic ecosystems. This study compared fungal communities and assessed the role of exogenous carbon on microbial community structure and function in two southern A ppalachian caves: an anthropogenically impacted cave and a near‐pristine cave. Due to carbon input from shallow soils, the anthropogenically impacted cave had an order of magnitude greater fungal and bacterial quantitative‐polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) gene copy numbers, had significantly greater community diversity, and was dominated by ascomycotal phylotypes common in early phase, labile organic matter decomposition. Fungal assemblages in the near‐pristine cave samples were dominated by B asidiomycota typically found in deeper soils (and/or in late phase, recalcitrant organic matter decomposition), suggesting more oligotrophic conditions. In situ carbon and manganese (II) [ M n( II )] addition over 10 weeks resulted in growth of fungal mycelia followed by increased M n( II ) oxidation. A before/after comparison of the fungal communities indicated that this enrichment increased the quantity of fungal and bacterial cells, yet decreased overall fungal diversity. Anthropogenic carbon sources can therefore dramatically influence the diversity and quantity of fungi, impact microbial community function, and stimulate M n( II ) oxidation, resulting in a cascade of changes that can strongly influence nutrient and trace element biogeochemical cycles in karst aquifers.