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A novel method to evaluate nutrient retention by biological soil crust exopolymeric matrix

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Abstract

Aims

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are microbial communities commonly found in the upper layer of arid soils. These microorganisms release exopolysaccharides (EPS), which form the exopolymeric matrix (EPM), allowing them to bond soil particles together and survive long periods of dryness. The aim of this work is to develop methods for measuring metabolite retention by biocrust EPM and EPS.

Methods

We report new methods for the investigation of metabolite sorption on biocrusts compared to the underlying unconsolidated subcrust fraction. A 13C–labeled bacterial lysate metabolite mixture was incubated with biocrust, subcrust and biocrust-extracted EPS. Non-sorbed metabolites were extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Results

This simple and rapid approach enabled the comparison of metabolite sorption on the biocrust EPM or EPS versus mineral sorption on the underlying soils. Our results suggest that the biocrust (and its extracted EPS) sorb more metabolites, especially amino acids and organic acids, than the underlying subcrust.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a useful method to highlight the essential role of biocrust (especially the EPM), which acts as a passive nutrient filter, sequestering metabolites released by microbes during wetting events. This may facilitate recovery of the community upon wetting and further enhance biocrust survival and nutrient retention.

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Fig. 1: Workflow used to examine sorption of bacterial metabolites on biocrust, subcrust and EPS.
Fig. 2: Characteristics of the two biocrust fractions compared for metabolite sorption.
Fig. 3: PCA ordination and distribution of metabolite sorption on the biocrust versus the subcrust.
Fig. 4: Bacterial metabolite sorption on biocrusts, subcrusts and EPS.

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Abbreviations

EPM:

exopolymeric matrix

EPS:

exopolysaccharides

LC/MS:

liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry

XRPD:

X-ray powder diffraction

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Office of Science Early Career Research Program, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, of the U. S. Department of Energy under contract number DE-AC02-05CH11231. We thank Marco Voltolini (LBNL) for his assistance with all of the XRPD experiments and data analysis.

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Correspondence to Tami L. Swenson or Trent R. Northen.

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Responsible Editor: Fernando T. Maestre.

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Swenson, T.L., Couradeau, E., Bowen, B.P. et al. A novel method to evaluate nutrient retention by biological soil crust exopolymeric matrix. Plant Soil 429, 53–64 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3537-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3537-x

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