Microbial use of low molecular weight DOM in filtered and unfiltered freshwater: Role of ultra-small microorganisms and implications for water quality monitoring

F.L. Brailsford; H.C. Glanville; M.R. Marshall; P.N. Golyshin; P.J. Johnes; C.A. Yates; A.T. Owen; D.L. Jones

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.049

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Microbial use of low molecular weight DOM in filtered and unfiltered freshwater: Role of ultra-small microorganisms and implications for water quality monitoring

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Microbial use of low molecular weight DOM in filtered and unfiltered freshwater: Role of ultra-small microorganisms and implications for water quality monitoring

F.L. Brailsford, H.C. Glanville, M.R. Marshall, P.N. Golyshin, P.J. Johnes, C.A. Yates, A.T. Owen and D.L. Jones

Science of The Total Environment, Vol.598, pp.377-384

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.049

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Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a central role in regulating productivity and nutrient cycling in freshwaters. It is therefore vital that we can representatively sample and preserve DOM in freshwaters for subsequent analysis. Here we investigated the effect of filtration, temperature (5 and 25 °C) and acidification (HCl) on the persistence of low molecular weight (MW) dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON) and orthophosphate in oligotrophic and eutrophic freshwater environments. Our results showed the rapid loss of isotopically-labelled glucose and amino acids from both filtered (0.22 and 0.45 μm) and unfiltered waters. We ascribe this substrate depletion in filtered samples to the activity of ultra-small (< 0.45 μm) microorganisms (bacteria and archaea) present in the water. As expected, the rate of C, N and P loss was much greater at higher temperatures and was repressed by the addition of HCl. Based on our results and an evaluation of the protocols used in recently published studies, we conclude that current techniques used to sample water for low MW DOM characterisation are frequently inadequate and lack proper validation. In contrast to the high degree of analytical precision and rigorous statistical analysis of most studies, we argue that insufficient consideration is still given to the presence of ultra-small microorganisms and potential changes that can occur in the low MW fraction of DOM prior to analysis.

Details

Title: Microbial use of low molecular weight DOM in filtered and unfiltered freshwater: Role of ultra-small microorganisms and implications for water quality monitoring
Authors/Creators: F.L. Brailsford (Author/Creator)
H.C. Glanville (Author/Creator)
M.R. Marshall (Author/Creator)
P.N. Golyshin (Author/Creator)
P.J. Johnes (Author/Creator)
C.A. Yates (Author/Creator)
A.T. Owen (Author/Creator)
D.L. Jones (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: Science of The Total Environment, Vol.598, pp.377-384
Publisher: Elsevier
Identifiers: 991005544167307891
Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University; Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.45 Soil Science; 3.45.1049 Dissolved Organic Matter
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology