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The biotic contribution to the benthic stream sediment phosphorus buffer

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Abstract

Benthic stream sediments interact strongly with phosphorus (P) and can buffer dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations. The sediment P buffer can be measured with the sediment equilibrium phosphate concentration at net zero sorption (EPC0), which often correlates well with DRP. Yet, it is unclear how much of this P affinity in sediments is attributable to biotic (microbial P demand) or abiotic (sorption) processes. To clarify the role of biotic processes on EPC0, we used two experiments with benthic sediment from 12 streams. First, sediments sterilized by γ-irradiation increased in EPC0 compared to fresh sediments by a median of 83%. This increase in EPC0 was likely a result of cell lysis, where microbial biomass P (2.4 to 22.6 mg P kg−1) was re-adsorbed to sediment surfaces. This data also shows that the sediment microbial biomass is a significant, yet under-reported biotic stock of P in streams compared to their photic zone counterpart (i.e., periphyton). In a second experiment, fresh sediment EPC0 was measured after alleviating potential limitation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) for microbial growth. Sediment EPC0 did not change with C addition and decreased slightly (0.5 µg P L−1 or ~ 5% decrease) with N addition, suggesting these sediments strongly buffered DRP towards the EPC0 in spite of biotic demand. Together, these experiments suggest that sediment EPC0 was primarily abiotic in nature but that sediments may subsidize biotic P requirements through desorption. Further work is needed on whether this relation holds for streams with different substrate, geology, and nutrient inputs.

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Data availability

Land use data (LCDB v5; https://lris.scinfo.org.nz/) and stream information (REC; https://niwa.co.nz/freshwater-and-estuaries/management-tools/river-environment-classification-0) are available from LRIS Portal and NIWA, respectively. The experimental data generated in this study are available on Figshare at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12253328.v3.

Code availability

R code used in analyses is available on Figshare at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12253328.v3

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dave Harris (MSD Animal Health) for accommodating our samples for γ-irradiation and ensuring a quick turn-around; Roger Creswell for helping with logistics; Andrea Leptin and Phuong Nguyen for providing valuable help in sampling and lab work and commenting on earlier drafts; and the landowners for site access. This manuscript was greatly improved by constructive comments from two anonymous reviewers and Associate Editor Dr. Marcarelli. We thank the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge for funding the study (Contract C10X1507 from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment).

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, contract C10X1507 from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

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ZPS and RWM conceived the study. ZPS performed the research, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to the design of the study and reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Z. P. Simpson.

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All the authors declared that they have no conflict of interest.

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Responsible Editor: Amy M. Marcarelli.

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Simpson, Z.P., McDowell, R.W. & Condron, L.M. The biotic contribution to the benthic stream sediment phosphorus buffer. Biogeochemistry 151, 63–79 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-020-00709-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-020-00709-z

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