High heavy metal load does not inhibit nitrogen fixation in moss-cyanobacteria associations.
Ecotoxicology
; 28(10): 1169-1176, 2019 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31696444
ABSTRACT
Nitrogen (N2) fixation by moss-associated cyanobacteria is one of the main sources of new N input in pristine ecosystems such as boreal forests and arctic tundra. Given the non-vascular physiology of mosses, they are especially sensitive to e.g. increased N input and heavy metal deposition. While the effects of increased N input on moss-associated N2 fixation has been comprehensively assessed, hardly any reports exist on the effects of increased heavy metal load on this key ecosystem function. To address this knowledge gap, we made use of an extreme metal pollution gradient in boreal forests of Northern Sweden originating from a metal mine and its associated smelters. We collected the common moss Pleurozium schreberi, known to host cyanobacteria, along a distance gradient away from the metal source of pollution and measured moss-metal content (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb) as well as N2 fixation. We found a strong distance gradient in moss-metal content for all investigated metals a sharp decline in metal content with distance away from the metal pollution source. However, we found a similarly steep gradient in moss-associated N2 fixation, with highest activity closest to the metal source of pollution. Hence, while mosses may be sensitive to increased heavy metal inputs, the activity of colonising cyanobacteria seem to be unaffected by heavy metals, and consequently, ecosystem function may not be compromised by elevated metal input.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
2_ODS3
Problema de salud:
2_quimicos_contaminacion
Asunto principal:
Simbiosis
/
Cianobacterias
/
Bryopsida
/
Metales Pesados
/
Contaminantes Ambientales
/
Fijación del Nitrógeno
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ecotoxicology
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Dinamarca