Project Details
Projekt
Differential microbial degradation of particulate organic matter in a shallow water system
Applicant
Dr. Kai Ziervogel
Subject Area
Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
Term
from 2005 to 2007
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5437767
In coastal environments, the sediment and water column act as a closely coupled system. In both compartments, physical transport processes and geochemical reactions influence the composition of particulate and dissolved organic matter. Aggregates are thereby of major importance. Their significance is due to increased sinking velocity and to the formation of microbial microenvironments, with properties differing considerably from those of the surrounding water. This project aims to evaluate microbial degradation of particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) in the water column and at the sediment-water interface. Fluorescently-labeled macromolecules as organic substrates will be used to measure microbial hydrolysis rates. The focus will be an processes in fluffy layer material at the sediment-water interface that includes aggregated, particulate organic matter (POM) originated from the upper water column together with particles resuspended from the sea floor. The main goal is to determine specific hydrolysis rates of organic carbon and nitrogen influencing the C/N ratio of particulate matter within the sea water, fluffy layer and sediment. Investigation will provide a better understanding of particulate and dissolved organic matter dynamics in coastal waters.
DFG Programme
Research Fellowships
International Connection
USA
