Abstract
The turnover and exchange rates, as well as the sedimentation rates concerning the input and output of carbon in the anaerobic hypolimnion and the sediment in Lake Vechten were studied. The carbon input data were derived from those on sedimentation. By comparison of C-fixation data, sedimentation rates measurements and microbial reduction rates of observed fluxes of electron acceptors a mineralization of 20–30% of the limnetic C-fixation was found in the hypolimnion. The rate-limiting step of methanogenesis in anaerobic mineralization is the breakdown of algal cell wall components to their main product, namely acetate. This intermediate has a relatively fast turnover rate to the end-products, namely the gases CH4 and CO2. Finally, from the data on the diffusion of low-molecular weight metabolic intermediates and on the rates of formation of CH4 and CO2 the output of carbon and its cycling in Lake Vechten are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen, J. M. & Jacobsen, O. S., 1979. Production and decomposition of organic matter in eutrophic Frederiksborg Slotssö, Denmark. Arch. Hydrobiol. 85: 511–542.
Blaauboer, Marianne C. L, Keulen, R. van, Cappenberg, Th. E., 1982. Extracellular release of photosynthetic products by freshwater phytoplankton populations, with special reference to the algal species involved. Freshwat. Biol. (in press.)
Bloesch, J. & Burns, N. M., 1980. A critical review of sedimentation trap technique. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol. 42: 15–55.
Blomqvist, S. & H⫗kanson, L., 1981. A review on sediment traps in aquatic environments. Arch. Hydrobiol. 91: 101–132.
Cappenberg, Th. E., 1972. Ecological observations on heterotrophic, methane oxidizing and sulfate reducing bacteria in a pond. Hydrobiologia 40: 471–485.
Cappenberg, Th. E., 1974. Interrelations between sulfate-reducing and methane-producing bacteria in bottom deposits of a fresh-water lake. I. Field observations. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 40: 285–295.
Cappenberg, Th. E., 1976. Methanogenesis in the bottom deposits of a small stratifying lake. In: Schlegel, H. G., Pfennig, N., Gottschalk, G. (Eds.) Microbial Production and Utilization of Gases, H2, CH4, CO, pp. 125–134. E. Goltze-Verlag, Göttingen.
Cappenberg, Th. E., 1980. Use of radio gas chromatography in studying breakdown processes of organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. In: Agrochemical Residue-Biota Interactions in Soil and Aquatic Ecosystems, pp. 55–66. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
Cappenberg, Th. E. & Prins, R. A., 1974. Interrelations between sulfate-reducing and methane-producing bacteria in bottom deposits of a fresh-water lake. III Experiments with 14C-labelled substrates. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 40: 457–469.
Cappenberg, Th. E. & Jongejan, E., 1978. Microenvironments for sulfate reduction and methane production in freshwater sediments. In: Krumbein, W. E. (Ed.). Environmental Biogeochemistry & Geomicrobiology, Vol. 1, pp. 129–138. Ann Arbor sci. Publ.
Cappenberg, Th. E., Hordijk, K. A., Jonkheer, G. J., Lauwen, J. P. M., 1982. Carbon flow across the sediment-water interface in Lake Vechten, The Netherlands. In: Sly, P. G. (Ed.). Sediment/Freshwater Interaction, pp. 161–168. Proc. 2nd. Int. Symp., Kingston, Ontario. Junk, The Hague.
Gasith, A., 1976. Seston dynamics and tripton sedimentation in the pelagic zone of a shallow eutrophic lake. Hydrobiologia 51: 225–231.
Gulati, R. D., Siewertsen, K. & Postema, G., 1982. The zooplankton: its community structure, food and feeding, and role in the ecosystem of Lake Vechten. Hydrobiologia 95: 127–163.
Hordijk, C. A. & Cappenberg, Th. E., 1982. Quantitative HPLC-fluorescence determinations of some important lower fatty acids in lake sediments. Appl. envir. Microbiol. (submitted).
Jones, J. G., 1976. The microbiology and decomposition of seston in open water and experimental enclosures in a productive lake. J. Ecol. 64: 241–278.
Kelly, C. A. & Chynoweth, D. P., 1980. Comparison of in situ and in vitro rates of methane release in freshwater sediments. Appl. envir. Microbiol. 40: 287–293.
Klump, J. V. & Martens, C. S., 1981. Biochemical cycling in an organic-rich coastal marine basin — II. Nutrient sedimentwater exchange processes. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 45: 101–121.
Kimmel, B. L. & Goldman, C. R., 1977. Production, sedimentation and accumulation of particulate carbon and nitrogen in a sheltered subalpine lake. In: Golterman, H. L. (Ed.) Interactions between Sediments and Freshwater, pp. 148–155. Junk, The Hague.
Lastein, E., 1976. Recent sedimentation and resuspension of organic matter in eutrophic Lake Esrom, Denmark. Oikos 27: 44–49.
Martens, C. S. & Klump, J. V., 1980. Biochemical cycling in an organic-rich coastal marine basin — I. Methane sedimentwater exchange processes. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta, 44: 471–490.
Molongoski, J. J. & Klug, M. J., 1980. Anaerobic metabolism of particulate organic matter in the sediments of a hypereutrophic lake. Freshwat. Biol. 10: 507–518.
Parma, S., 1971. Chaoborus flavicans (Meigen) (Diptera, Chaoboridae): an autoecological study. Ph.D. thesis, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. 128 pp.
Sansone, F. J. & Martens, C. S., 1981. Methane production from acetate and associated methane fluxes from anoxic coastal sediments. Science 211: 707–709.
Steenbergen, C. L. M. & Korthals, H. J., 1982. Distribution of phototrophic microorganisms in the anaerobic and microaerophilic strata of Lake Vechten (The Netherlands). Pigment analysis and role in primary production. Limnol. Oceanogr. (in press).
Steenbergen, C. L. M. & Verdouw, H., 1982. Lake Vechten: aspects of its morphometry, climate, hydrology and physicochemical characteristics. Hydrobiologia 95: 11–23.
Strayer, R. F. & Tiedje, J. M., 1978. Kinetic parameters of the conversion of methane precursors to methane in a hypereutrophic lake sediment. Appl. envir. Microbiol. 36: 330–340.
Rudd, J. W. M. & Hamilton, R. D., 1978. Methane cycling in a eutrophic shield lake and its effects on whole lake metabolism. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23: 337–348.
Van Gemerden, H., 1967. On the bacterial sulfur cycle of inland waters. Ph.D. thesis, Rijksuniversiteit Leiden. 110 pp.
Verdouw, H. & Dekkers, E. M. J., 1980. Iron and manganese in Lake Vechten (The Netherlands): dynamics and role in the cycle of reducing power. Arch. Hydrobiol. 89: 509–532.
Verdouw, H. & Dekkers, E. M. J., 1982a. Nitrogen cycle of Lake Vechten (The Netherlands): role of sedimentation. Arch. Hydrobiol. 94: 251–263.
Verdouw, H. & Dekkers, E. M. J., 1982b. Nitrogen cycle of Lake Vechten: concentration patterns and internal mass-balance. Hydrobiologia 95: 191–197.
Vollenweider, R. A., 1976. Rotsee, a source, not a sink for phosphorus? A comment to and a plea for nutrient balance studies. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol. 38: 29–34.
Winfrey, M. R. & Zeikus, J. G., 1979. Microbial methanogenesis and acetate metabolism in a meromictic lake. Appl. envir. Microbiol. 37: 213–221.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cappenberg, T.E., Verdouw, H. Sedimentation and breakdown kinetics of organic matter in the anaerobic zone of Lake Vechten. Hydrobiologia 95, 165–179 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044481
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044481