Microbial loop

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Introduction

Depiction of the microbial loop. Original uploader was Umarina at en.wikipedia Released into the public domain (by the author).

The microbial loop is a depiction of the microbial food web. The pathway starts with dissolved organic matter (DOM) which makes its way through various trophic levels ultimately to the highest trophic levels. This is relevant in aquatic and soil systems. Organisms involved in the microbial loop include DOM, bacteria, micro flagellates, protozoa, nematodes, ciliates, phytoplankton and various other nutrient cycling bacteria [3]. The microbial loop is ecologically significant because it is directly involved in nutrient cycling and primary production of biomass ultimately effecting large-scale ecological functions.

Biological interaction

The microbial loop can best be explained starting with DOM. DOM, or dissolved organic carbon, are concentrations of free organic carbon below 0.45 micrometers [4]. DOM consists of molecules which were once parts of living organisms such as proteins, carbohydrates lipids and nucleic acids. This DOM is then utilized as a food source for bacteria. Bacteria are the only organisms capable of recycling DOM making them an extremely vital component for the continuation ecosystem function. From here, basic food web interactions take hold. All this organic matter is transferred from smaller levels to the largest levels of ecosystems [1]. The DOM is recycled back into the system as various organisms from all trophic levels die off and are broken down smaller and smaller.

Environments

The microbial loop is found in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The microbial loop has a significant importance in regulating DOM in both systems.

Soil

Exudates from plant roots increase nutrients in the rhizosphere resulting in a bacteria growth increase. If it were not for the bacteria eating protozoa and nematodes in the soil, plant available nutrients would be locked up in bacterial biomass. [8]. This interaction in the soil has both a “top-down effect” on control of bacteria numbers as well as a “bottom-up effect” on the nutrient-acquiring micro-fauna in terrestrial environments. (See current research for more info.)

Aquatic

DOM is introduced into the system in many ways including sloppy feeding and excretion of waste products from aquatic organisms [3]. Algal exudates are also an extremely important source of DOM. Various bacteria uptake DOM as a source of energy. These bacteria are then consumed by protozoans, microbe consumers of bacteria and algae. Zooplankton, like copepods and other organisms then feed off these protozoans and the link to the traditional food web is established. Zooplankton are eaten by bigger organisms (shrimp) which are eaten by bigger organisms (fish) and so on down the line.

Photo by Sharon Moen, 2005.

Ecological Significance

The microbial loop is a general interaction in which DOM is utilized as an energy source. As stated before, microbes hold a significant influence in this interaction because they allow for an energy pathway that may have otherwise been lost. The presence of the microbial loop provides for the existence of numerous organisms that feed off the DOM-eating microbes. This interaction carries on throughout higher trophic levels further supporting the microbial loop’s extensive implications [4].

Current Research

Protozoa Stimulate

It is universally understood that protozoa stimulate plant growth. Current research is being done to explain this phenomenon. Studies have shown that it is the protozoan presence that enhances soil nitrogen mineralization and plant nitrogen uptake from organic nitrogen sources and not the presence of complex interactions between plant roots, bacteria and protozoa via the soil microbial loop. What this means is that soil nitrogen availability may be the key factor resulting in plant growth via protozoan interaction and that the microbial loop is not relevant in this process [5].

Sea Surface Warming

Studies have shown that the warming of sea tempratures results in an increased extracellular release of carbohydrates from phytoplankton. This results in an increased C:N ratios of DOM with the higher tempratures. Possible future implications of this could be bottom up effects on the microbial loop in cold seas resulting in a change of aquatic species compostions[6].

Expansion of the Microbial Loop

Sources say certain micelle-like microparticles have gone unstudied as a particular source of food for planktonic bacterivores. The chemical makeup and size of the microbparticles sugest that they are ideal sources of energy for bacterivores. This sugest that a large portion of DOC could bypass the trophic levels established by the microbial loop. This finding sugests that the carbon cycle in aquatic systems be restudied with respect to the pathway DOC which would yield an expansion on the current microbial loop [7].

References

1. Azam F, Fenchel T, Field JG, Gray JS, Meyer-Reil LA, Thingstad F. (1983). “The ecological role of water-column microbes in the sea”. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 10: 257-263.

2. Bonkowski M. (2003). “Protozoa and plant growth: the microbial loop in soil revisited”. Tansley Review. 617-631.

3. Fenchel T. (2008). “The microbial loop – 25 years later”. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 99-103.

4. Stone, Richard (June 18, 2010). "Marine Biogeochemistry: The Invisible Hand Behind A Vast Carbon Reservoir". Science Magazine. doi:10.1126/science.328.5985.1476.

5. Ekelund, Flemming; Saj, Stephane; Vestergård, Mette; Bertaux, Joanne; Mikola, Juha. (2009). “The “soil microbial loop” is not always needed to explain protozoan stimulation of plants”. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. Vol. 41 Issue 11, p2336-2342, 7p.

6. Engel, A. et. al (2011). “Effects of sea surface warming on the production and composition of dissolved organic matter during phytoplankton blooms: results from a mesocosm study.” Journal of Plankton Research. Vol 33 Issue 3, p357-372, 160p.

7. Kerner M. (2003). “Self-organization of dissolved organic matter to micelle-like microparticles in river water”. Nature. 422, 150-154

8. Griffiths BS, Caul S (1993). "Migration of bacterial-feeding nematodes, but not protozoa, to decomposing grass residues". Biological Fertile Soils. Vol 15 201-207.

Edited by Nathan, a student of Angela Kent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.