Microbial decomposition process of organic matter in sinking particles, resuspendable particles, and bottom sediments at a coastal fish farming area

摘要

The possible impacts of resuspension of low-density bottom sediments on the microbial decomposition process of organic matter were investigated at a coastal fish farming area. Hydrolysis and mineralization rates were much higher in sinking particles, resuspendable particles, and bottom sediments than in seawater. The cell-specific mineralization rate of free-living bacteria in seawater was several times higher than that of particle-associated bacteria at the other three sites. Conversely, no significant difference was observed in the cell-specific ecto-enzymatic hydrolysis rate. These results indicated different strategies in the utilization of organic matter: free-living bacteria actively respire low-molecular-weight compounds produced from the high-molecular-weight compounds resulting from extracellular enzyme activity of particle-associated bacteria. Both hydrolysis and mineralization were higher in sinking particles than in the other three sites. Hydrolysis rates were higher in resuspendable particles than in bottom sediments. Furthermore, leucine aminopeptidase and mineralization rates tended to be highest during winter in all four sites within the water column. These results suggest that the microbial decomposition of organic matter is stimulated by the resuspension of bottom sediments, especially during winter, when vertical mixing is relatively strong.