Potential salinity limitations on nitrogen fixation in sediments from Mono Lake, California |
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| Authors: | David B Herbst |
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| Institution: | (1) Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory, University of California, Star Route 1, Box 198, 93546 Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA;(2) Marine Science Institute, University of California, 93106 Santa Barbara, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Mono Lake is a hypersaline alkaline lake in the high altitude Great Basin desert of eastern California. Algal productivity
of the lake is nitrogen-limited, and a contributing source is derived from benthic nitrogen fixation. Lake level and salinity
have fluctuated with natural climatic variations but have also been affected by the diversion of tributary streams. This research
examines the influence of varied salinity and lake level on the potential for benthic nitrogen fixation in Mono Lake. A sediment-surface
microbial mat community was exposed directly, and in acclimated cultures, to a range of Mono Lake salinities under anaerobic
incubations and the activity of nitrogenase assayed by acetylene reduction. Activity was stimulated in light, but also occurred
in darkness. Over an experimental salinity range from 50 to 150 g L−1 TDS, nitrogenase activity was reduced by 90 per cent, with the activity persisting at the highest salinity being attributable
to dark fixation alone. Between a salinity of 50 g L−1, occurring in Mono Lake over 50 years ago, and 100 g L−1, nitrogenase activity was reduced by nearly half. Changes in the area of the littoral zone at varied lake levels also affect
the total amount of potential benthic nitrogen fixation in the lake. An accounting of yearly inputs of nitrogen to Mono Lake
suggests N2-fixation could contribute as much as 76–81 percent of the total. Inhibition of nitrogen fixation rates by increased salinity
could limit the long-term nutrient supply and benthic primary productivity of this ecosystem. |
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| Keywords: | cyanobacteria lake management Mono Lake nitrogen fixation salinity saline lakes |
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