The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 957, P. 177452 - 177452

Published: Nov. 19, 2024

High loads of nutrients like phosphorus (P) persistently degrade water quality in floodplain waterbodies and cause eutrophication, i.e., elevated algae production. Despite continuous efforts to curb external nutrient entering freshwaters, internal P release from sediments frequently sustains eutrophication. Benthic microbial communities considerably impact turnover through the mineralisation organic matter may strongly affect retention release, which can be estimated via buffering potential. However, how these processes shape potential hydrologically dynamic systems floodplains is poorly understood. Here, we assessed coupled effects lateral hydrological connectivity, dissolved (DOM) benthic activity on a river-floodplain system. We examined seven sites shallow that were either connected or disconnected River Elbe (Magdeburg, Germany) after summer contraction phase. Our findings show significantly higher thus, likely risk within sites, corroborated by distinct community-level physiological profiles. The was positively correlated with more labile, low molecular weight DOM quality, increased autochthonous contribution, pronounced enzymatic degradation hemicellulose (β-xylosidase activity). study underscores pivotal role enzyme shaping sediment systems. Moreover, our results demonstrate importance critical yet often overlooked microbe-organic interactions for dynamics waterbodies.

Language: Английский