INVESTIGADORES
LOPEZ Nancy Irene
artículos
Título:
The effect of nutrient additions on bacterial activity in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) sediments
Autor/es:
LÓPEZ, N.I.; DUARTE, C.M.; VALLESPINÓS, F.; ROMERO, J. AND T. ALCOVERRO
Revista:
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
Editorial:
Elsevier Science Publishers, B.V., Amsterdam
Referencias:
Año: 1998 vol. 224 p. 155 - 166
ISSN:
0022-0981
Resumen:
Abstract
The influence of nutrient additions on benthic bacterial activity under seagrass meadows was
tested by enriching five seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows with nutrients over one year.We
found a highly significant response of benthic bacterial activity to nutrient additions, which was
reflected in greater (about two-fold) ammonification rates and, to a smaller extent, a significant
tendency for a greater exoenzymatic activity. Nutrient additions significantly raised bacterial
activity, without altering the seasonal changes in bacterial activity. As a result of the increased
bacterial activity, the organic content of the sediments declined significantly, by about 33%, after
one year of nutrient addition. Hence, nutrient additions to the seagrass meadows enhance seagrass
production but also accelerate bacterial decomposition of seagrass carbon, thereby reducing the
capacity of the sediments to store organic carbon. These results demonstrate that sediment nutrient
availability limits bacterial activity in these Posidonia oceanica meadows, and identify bacteria as
important nutrient consumers in these systems.Posidonia oceanica) meadows with nutrients over one year.We
found a highly significant response of benthic bacterial activity to nutrient additions, which was
reflected in greater (about two-fold) ammonification rates and, to a smaller extent, a significant
tendency for a greater exoenzymatic activity. Nutrient additions significantly raised bacterial
activity, without altering the seasonal changes in bacterial activity. As a result of the increased
bacterial activity, the organic content of the sediments declined significantly, by about 33%, after
one year of nutrient addition. Hence, nutrient additions to the seagrass meadows enhance seagrass
production but also accelerate bacterial decomposition of seagrass carbon, thereby reducing the
capacity of the sediments to store organic carbon. These results demonstrate that sediment nutrient
availability limits bacterial activity in these Posidonia oceanica meadows, and identify bacteria as
important nutrient consumers in these systems.Posidonia oceanica meadows, and identify bacteria as
important nutrient consumers in these systems.