Publication
Title
Silicon controls microbial decay and nutrient release of grass litter during aquatic decomposition
Author
Abstract
The decomposition rate of plant litter is important for the carbon cycle. Element stoichiometry and hardly degradable carbon compounds are main factors controlling the decomposition rate of plant litter. Recent research has linked these factors to silicon availability during plant growth, but no research focused on the effect of silicon on litter decomposition. We therefore conducted a batch experiment to assess the effect of silicon availability to plants on litter degradation, nutrient release and multi elemental stoichiometry. Experiments were conducted in the presence or absence of invertebrate shredders (Gammarus pulex). We show that nutrient content (affected by silicon availability during plant growth) has a strong impact on nutrient turnover, while DOC, N, and Mn were mainly controlled by invertebrate feeding. The carbon turnover during microbial litter decay was strongly influenced by the silicon availability during plant growth, with quicker potential C turnover of litter with higher silicon content. In both Si-rich and Si-poor litter, feeding by invertebrate shredders positively impacted turnover rates, but effects were less pronounced in Si-rich litter. It can be concluded that silicon availability in wetlands dominated by reed plays an important role in carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and remobilization during aquatic litter decay.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Hydrobiologia. - The Hague, 1948, currens
Publication
The Hague : 2013
ISSN
0018-8158 [print]
1573-5117 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S10750-013-1449-1
Volume/pages
709 :1 (2013) , p. 201-212
ISI
000317628300015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 15.04.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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