02541nas a2200241 4500008004100000245010600041210006900147260001200216520180200228653001202030653000602042653001802048653001902066653001302085653001902098653000602117653002202123100002202145700002202167700002102189700002402210856006502234 2023 eng d00aNitrogen fixation facilitates stream microbial mat biomass across the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aNitrogen fixation facilitates stream microbial mat biomass acros c07/20233 a

Nitrogen (N) fixation is a fundamental mechanism by which N enters streams. Yet, because of modern N saturation, it is difficult to study the importance of N-fixation to stream nutrient budgets. Here, we utilized relatively simple and pristine McMurdo Dry Valley streams to investigate the role of N-fixing Nostoc abundance, streamwater dissolved inorganic N (DIN) concentration, and distance from the source glacier in regulating the elemental and isotopic composition of three microbial mat types (black, orange, and green) at the landscape scale. We found Nostoc-based black mats were the most enriched in δ15N, and δ15N signatures of mats increased where Nostoc was abundant, but did not surpass the atmospheric standard (δ15N ≈ 0‰). Furthermore, green and orange mat δ15N signatures became more depleted with increasing DIN, indicating that mats utilize glacial meltwater-sourced N when available. The distance from the source glacier explained limited variability in mat δ15N across sites, indicating the influence of individual stream characteristics on N spiraling. To further explore longitudinal N spiraling processes generating observed δ15Ν patterns, we developed a simple steady-state mathematical model. Analysis of plausible scenarios with this model confirmed that streams both have the capacity to remove allochthonous DIN over the plausible range of inputs, and that internal N sources are required to account for δ15N signatures and observed DIN concentrations at stream outlets. Collectively, these data and modeling results demonstrate that N-fixation exerts substantial influence within and across these streams, and is presumably dependent upon interconnected organic matter reserves, mineralization rates, and geomorphology.

10abiofilm10aC10acyanobacteria10ahyporheic zone10aMCM LTER10amineralization10aN10aP biogeochemistry1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aWlostowski, Adam1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10533-023-01069-002591nas a2200193 4500008004100000245013100041210006900172260001200241300001100253490000700264520191200271100002202183700002402205700002402229700003302253700002402286700001702310856007002327 2016 eng d00aNutrient treatments alter microbial mat colonization in two glacial meltwater streams from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aNutrient treatments alter microbial mat colonization in two glac c03/2016 afiw0490 v923 a

Microbial mats are abundant in many alpine and polar aquatic ecosystems. With warmer temperatures, new hydrologic pathways are developing in these regions and increasing dissolved nutrient fluxes. In the McMurdo Dry Valleys, thermokarsting may release both nutrients and sediment, and has the potential to influence mats in glacial meltwater streams. To test the role of nutrient inputs on community structure, we created nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) with agar enriched in N, P and N + P, with controls, and deployed them into two Dry Valley streams. We found N amendments (N and N + P) to have greater chlorophyll-a concentrations, total algal biovolume, more fine filamentous cyanobacteria and a higher proportion of live diatoms than other treatments. Furthermore, N treatments were substantially elevated in Bacteroidetes and the small diatom, Fistulifera pelliculosa. On the other hand, species richness was almost double in P and N + P treatments over others, and coccoid green algae and Proteobacteria were more abundant in both streams. Collectively, these data suggest that nutrients have the potential to stimulate growth and alter community structure in glacial meltwater stream microbial mats, and the recent erosion of permafrost and accelerated glacial melt will likely impact resident biota in polar lotic systems here and elsewhere.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aWagner, Dirk uhttp://femsec.oxfordjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.1093/femsec/fiw049