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Microbial mediated retention/transformation of organic and inorganic materials in freshwater and marine ecosystems
Citation:
Mosher, J., R. Devereux, AND A. Palumbo. Microbial mediated retention/transformation of organic and inorganic materials in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Presented at ASLO 2013 Aquatic Sciences Meeting, February 17 - 22, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
Session proposal for Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography meeting
Description:
Aquatic ecosystems are globally connected by hydrological and biogeochemical cycles. Microorganisms inhabiting aquatic ecosystems form the basis of food webs, mediate essential element cycles, decompose natural organic matter, transform inorganic nutrients and metals, and degrade anthropogenic pollutants. The geochemical milieu determines the availability of resources that can be physiologically exploited by microorganisms. It is these interactions between the microorganisms and their resources that most likely contribute to metabolic diversity and determine whether one aquatic ecosystem is a source or sink for organic or inorganic materials with another. Understanding linkages between aquatic microorganisms, geochemical cycling, and hydrological transport is a vital step for regulating anthropogenic inputs to aquatic environments and developing sustainable solutions for ecosystem protection. The goal of this session is to explore these linkages through presentations that focus on the ecophysiological capacities of microbial communities in the transport of matter through hydrologically connected ecosystems from streams and rivers to lakes or coastal zones and oceans. Research, policy and education focused contributions addressing these interactions in aquatic ecosystems are welcome