Open AccessAvailability of plant nutrients and pollutants in the young soils of Surtsey compared to the older Heimaey and Elliðaey volcanic islands
Author(s) -
Bjarni D. Sigurðsson,
Niki I. W. Leblans
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
surtsey research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1608-0998
DOI - 10.33112/surtsey.14.8
Subject(s) - seabird , guano , nutrient , ecosystem , tephra , soil water , topsoil , environmental science , environmental chemistry , ecology , chemistry , geology , volcano , biology , geochemistry , soil science , predation
Surtsey and the older islands in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago offer a unique possibility to study howsub-Arctic ecosystems develop from unvegetated mineral substrate that lacks soil cover to grasslands withthick Brown Andosol soils. The present study was carried out on Surtsey, Heimaey and Elliðaey in 2013and involved an incubation of resin membranes in the 0-10 cm topsoil layer in different ecosystems, whichwere either inside or outside seabird colonies. We compared the effects of seabird presence on soil nutrientavailability as well as the importance of time for soil development (at least ca.1600 years vs. 50 years).Further we looked for build-up of Cd and Pb within the seabird colonies. Seabird presence enhanced theavailability of most nutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Mn and Zn) except B and Cu, irrespective of theage of the islands. Soil age was also a significant factor for nutrient availability for all macro- and micronutrients except B. Nutrient ratios indicated that N was the most limiting nutrient in all ecosystems, exceptin the thicker tephra soils on Surtsey where low P availability may lead to co-limitation. The role of P inecosystem function on Surtesy warrants a futher study. No accumulation of Cd and Pb was found withinthe seabird colonies.