High biological N fixation potential dominated by heterotrophic diazotrophs in alpine permafrost rivers on the QinghaiâTibet Plateau.
Water Res
; 264: 122239, 2024 Oct 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39137482
ABSTRACT
Biological nitrogen (N) fixation is a pivotal N source in N-deficient ecosystems. The QinghaiâTibet Plateau (QTP) region, which is assumed to be N limited and suboxic, is an ideal habitat for diazotrophs. However, the diazotrophic communities and associated N fixation rates in these high-altitude alpine permafrost QTP rivers remain largely unknown. Herein, we examined diazotrophic communities in the sediment and biofilm of QTP rivers via the nitrogenase (nifH) gene sequencing and assessed their N fixing activities via a 15N isotope incubation assay. Strikingly, anaerobic heterotrophic diazotrophs, such as sulfate- and iron-reducing bacteria, had emerged as dominant N fixers. Remarkably, the nifH gene abundance and N fixation rates increased with altitude, and the average nifH gene abundance (2.57 ± 2.60 × 108 copies g-1) and N fixation rate (2.29 ± 3.36 nmol N g-1d-1) surpassed that documented in most aquatic environments (nifH gene abundance 1.31 × 105 â¼ 2.57 × 108 copies g-1, nitrogen fixation rates 2.34 × 10-4 â¼ 4.11 nmol N g-1d-1). Such distinctive heterotrophic diazotrophic communities and high N fixation potential in QTP rivers were associated with low-nitrogen, abundant organic carbon and unique CNP stoichiometries. Additionally, the significant presence of psychrophilic bacteria within the diazotrophic communities, along with the enhanced stability and complexity of the diazotrophic networks at higher altitudes, clearly demonstrate the adaptability of diazotrophic communities to extreme cold and high-altitude conditions in QTP rivers. We further determined that altitude, coupled with organic carbon and phosphorus, was the predominant driver shaping diazotrophic communities and their N-fixing activities. Overall, our study reveals high N fixation potential in N-deficient QTP rivers, which provides novel insights into nitrogen dynamics in alpine permafrost rivers.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Permafrost
/
Rivers
/
Nitrogen Fixation
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Water Res
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: