Seasonal changes in microbial community structure and activity imply winter production is linked to summer hypoxia in a large lake

Authors

Steven W. Wilhelm, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Gary R. Lecleir, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
George S. Bullerjahn, Bowling Green State University
Robert M. Mckay, Bowling Green State University
Matthew A. Saxton, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Michael R. Twiss, Clarkson University
Richard A. Bourbonniere, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2014

Publication Title

FEMS Microbiology Ecology

Volume

87

Issue

2

First Page

475

Keywords

Bacterial production, Microbial diversity, Winter limnology

Last Page

485

Abstract

Carbon and nutrient cycles in large temperate lakes such as Lake Erie are primarily driven by phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms, although our understanding of these is often constrained to late spring through summer due to logistical constraints. During periods of > 90% ice cover in February of 2008, 2009, and 2010, we collected samples from an icebreaker for an examination of bacterial production as well as microbial community structure. In comparison with summer months (August 2002 and 2010), we tested hypotheses concerning seasonal changes in microbial community diversity and production. Bacterial production estimates were c. 2 orders of magnitude higher (volume normalized) in summer relative to winter. Our observations further demonstrate that the microbial community, including single-celled phototrophs, varied in composition between August and February. Sediment traps deployed and collected over a 3 year period (2008-2011) confirmed that carbon export was ongoing and not limiting winter production. The results support the notion that active primary producers in winter months export carbon to the sediments that is not consumed until the warmer seasons. The establishment of this linkage is a critical observation in efforts to understand the extent and severity of annual summertime formations of a zone of regional hypoxia in Lake Erie. Seasonal changes in microbial community productivity and diversity suggest primary production in winter months may exacerbate summer hypoxia in Lake Eri. © 2014 Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

DOI

10.1111/1574-6941.12238

ISSN

01686496

E-ISSN

15746941

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Wilhelm, Steven W.; Lecleir, Gary R.; Bullerjahn, George S.; Mckay, Robert M.; Saxton, Matthew A.; Twiss, Michael R.; and Bourbonniere, Richard A.. (2014). Seasonal changes in microbial community structure and activity imply winter production is linked to summer hypoxia in a large lake. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 87 (2), 475-485.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/glierpub/574

PubMed ID

24164471