Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution of Exopolymeric Substances in the Littoral Sediments of an Oligotrophic Lake

  • Published:
Microbial Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bacteria and algae release exopolymeric substances (EPS) that perform a wide range of important functions in aquatic and terrestrial systems. In this study we measured EPS in sediments at nine littoral sites around a shallow oligotrophic basin, and tested whether the concentration and composition of EPS was related to sediment characteristics. The concentrations of both loosely bound (colloidal) and tightly bound (capsular) EPS carbohydrates ranged up to ~800 µg glucose equiv. cm−2 and were well within the range of concentrations reported from marine intertidal flats, where EPS play an important role in stabilizing sediments, affecting nutrient exchanges between sediments and the water column, feeding benthic invertebrates, and sequestering and increasing the transfer of contaminants to food webs. Proteins were an important component of the EPS in these littoral sediments, with protein:carbohydrate ratios of ~0.4. In summer, the concentrations of most EPS fractions were positively related (P < 0.05) to the porewater and organic matter content of the sediments. Capsular EPS concentrations were lower in the fall, with a simultaneous increase in colloidal proteins but not in colloidal carbohydrates. This suggests that the carbohydrates in this colloidal EPS may be more labile than the proteins. Our results suggest that exopolymeric substances could be an important, but neglected, component of littoral sediments in lakes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. SB Baines ML Pace (1991) ArticleTitleThe production of dissolved organic matter by phytoplankton and its importance to bacteria—patterns across marine and freshwater systems. Limnol Oceanogr 36 1078–1090

    Google Scholar 

  2. BH Baird D Thistle (1986) ArticleTitleUptake of bacterial extracellular polymer by a deposition-feeding holothurian (Isostichopus badionotus). Mar Biol 92 183–187

    Google Scholar 

  3. TJ Battin D Sengschmitt (1999) ArticleTitleLinking sediment biofilms, hydrodynamics, and river bed clogging: evidence from a large river. Microb Ecol 37 185–196 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjs1yhsLg%3D Occurrence Handle10227876

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. TJ Battin A Wille B Sattler R Psenner (2001) ArticleTitlePhylogenetic and functional heterogeneity of sediment biofilms along environmental gradients in a glacial stream. Appl Environ Microbiol 67 799–807 Occurrence Handle10.1128/AEM.67.2.799-807.2001 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhtFSlsLs%3D Occurrence Handle11157246

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. BJF Biggs (1996) Patterns in benthic algae of streams. RJ Stevenson ML Bothwell RL Lowe (Eds) Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems. Academic Press San Diego 31–56

    Google Scholar 

  6. GF Blanchard D.M. Paterson L.J. Stal P. Richard R. Galois V. Huet J. Kelly C. Honeywill J. de Brouwer K. Dryer M. Christie M. Seguignes (2000) ArticleTitleThe effect of geomorphological structures on potential biostabilisation by microphytobenthos on intertidal mudflats. Continental Shelf Res 20 1243–1256

    Google Scholar 

  7. GA Burton GR Lanza (1986) ArticleTitleVariables affecting two electron transport system assays. Appl Environ Microbiol 51 931–937 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28Xkt1Wisbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. JW Costerton Z Lewandowski DE Caldwell DR Korber HM Lappin-Scott (1995) ArticleTitleMicrobial biofilms. Ann Rev Microbiol 49 711–745 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXovVWjtbg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. CA Couch JL Meyer RO Hall (1996) ArticleTitleIncorporation of bacterial extracellular polysaccharide by black fly larvae (Simuliidae). J N Am Benthol Soc 15 289–299

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cyr H., Lozon JD Spatial distribution of benthic algae in the littoral sediments of stratified and unstratified oligotrophic lakes. (Submitted to Freshwater Biology).

  11. AW Decho (1990) ArticleTitleMicrobial exopolymer secretions in ocean environments: their role(s) in food webs and marine processes. Oceanogr Mar Biol Ann Rev 28 73–153

    Google Scholar 

  12. AW Decho (2000) ArticleTitleMicrobial biofilms in intertidal systems: an overview. Continental Shelf Res 20 1257–1273

    Google Scholar 

  13. AW Decho GR Lopez (1993) ArticleTitleExopolymer microenvironments of microbial flora: multiple and interactive effects on trophic relationships. Limnol Oceanogr 38 1633–1645 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXmsFWisr8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. AW Decho DJW Moriarity (1990) ArticleTitleBacterial exopolymer utilization by a harpacticoid copepod: a methodology and results. Limnol Oceanogr 35 1039–1049 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXhsVajt74%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. JFC de Brouwer LJ Stal (2001) ArticleTitleShort-term dynamics in microphytobenthos distribution and associated extracellular carbohydrates in surface sediments of an intertidal mudflat. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 218 33–44 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXptVOltbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. PA del Giorgio G Scarborough (1995) ArticleTitleIncrease in the proportion of metabolically active bacteria along gradients of enrichment in freshwater and marine plankton: implications for estimates of bacterial growth and production rates. J Plankton Res 17 1905–1924

    Google Scholar 

  17. R de Philippis C Sili R Paperi M Vincenzini (2001) ArticleTitleExopolysaccharide-producing cyanobacteria and their possible exploitation: a review. J Appl Phycol 13 293–299 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXotVWns7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. B de Winder N Staats LJ Stal DM Paterson (1999) ArticleTitleCarbohydrate secretion by phototrophic communities in tidal sediments. J Sea Res 42 131–146 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXls12ms78%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. M Dubois KA Gilles JK Hamilton PA Rebers F Smith (1956) ArticleTitleColorimetric method for determination of sugars and related substances. Anal Chem 28 350–356 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaG28XjvFynsg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. S Findlay JL Meyer (1984) ArticleTitleSignificance of bacterial biomass and production as an organic carbon source in lotic detrital system. Bull Mar Sci 35 318–325

    Google Scholar 

  21. HC Flemming J Wingender (2001) ArticleTitleRelevance of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) — Part I: Structural and ecological aspects. Wat Sci Technol 43 1–8 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXktVOltbk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. HC Flemming J Wingender (2001) ArticleTitleRelevance of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) — Part II: Technical aspects. Wat Sci Technol 43 9–16 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXktVOltbY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Flemming HC, Wingender J, Moritz R, Borchard W, Mayer C (1999) Physico-chemical properties of biofilms - a short review. In: Keevil CW, Goodfree A, Holt D, Dow C (eds) Biofilms in the aquatic environment, Royal Society of Chemistry, Special Publication No. 242, Cambridge, pp 1-12

  24. M Fletcher (1988) ArticleTitleEffects of electrolytes on attachment of aquatic bacteria to solid surfaces. Estuaries 11 226–230 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXhvFyktrY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. N Goto T Kawamura O Mitamura H Terai (1999) ArticleTitleImportance of extracellular organic carbon production in teh total primary production by tidal-flat diatoms in comparison to phytoplankton. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 190 289–295 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhtl2jtLY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Goto N, Mitamura O, Terai H (2001) Biodegradation of photosynthetically produced extracellular organic carbon from intertidal benthic algae. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol Mar 257:73–86

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A-L Haglund E Törnblom B Boström L Tranvik (2002) ArticleTitleLarge differences in the fraction of active bacteria in plankton, sediments, and biofilm. Microb Ecol 43 232–241 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xks1ajsr4%3D Occurrence Handle12023730

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. RO Hall JL Meyer (1998) ArticleTitleThe trophic significance of bacteria in a detritus-based stream food web. Ecology 79 1995–2012

    Google Scholar 

  29. HA Hilger DF Cranford MA Barlaz (2000) ArticleTitleMethane oxidation and microbial exopolymer production in landfill cover soil. Soil Biol Biochem 32 457–467 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXitlGjtLw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. KD Hoagland JR Rosowski MR Gritz SC Roemer (1993) ArticleTitleDiatom extracellular polymeric substances: function, fine structure, chemistry and physiology. J Phycol 29 537–566 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXktVCmt78%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. CW Keevil (1999) Pathogens and metabolites associated with biofilms. CW Keevil A. Goodfree D. Holt C. Dow (Eds) Biofilms in the Aquatic Environment. Royal Society of Chemistry 145–152

    Google Scholar 

  32. GA Lamberti (1996) The role of periphyton in benthic food webs. RJ Stevenson ML Bothwell RL Lowe (Eds) Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems. Academic Press San Diego 533–572

    Google Scholar 

  33. RL Lowe (1996) Periphyton patterns in lakes. RJ Stevenson ML Bothwell RL Lowe (Eds) Algal Ecology. Academic Press San Diego 57–76

    Google Scholar 

  34. OH Lowry NJ Rosebrough FA Lewis RJ Randall (1951) ArticleTitleProtein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193 265–275 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaG38XhsVyrsw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. G Mazor GJ Kidon A Vonshak A Abeliovich (1996) ArticleTitleThe role of cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides in structuring desert microbial crusts. Microb Ecol 21 121–130 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XmtV2it7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. PH Nielsen A Jahn R Palmgren (1997) ArticleTitleConceptual model for production and composition of exopolymers in biofilms. Wat Sci Technol 36 11–19 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXmslequ7w%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. RG Perkins GJC Underwood V Brotas GC Snow B Jesus L Ribeiro (2001) ArticleTitleResponses of microphytobenthos to light: primary production and carbohydrate allocation over an emersion period. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 223 101–112

    Google Scholar 

  38. RM Platt GG Geesey JD Davis BC White (1985) ArticleTitleIsolation and partial chemical analysis of firmly bound exopolysaccharide from adherent cells of a freshwater sediment bacterium. Can J Microbiol 31 675–680 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXlsFOjs7c%3D Occurrence Handle11540102

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Ross DJ (1971) Some factors influencing the estimation of dehdrogenase activities of some soils under pasture. Soil Biol Biochem 3, 97–110

    Google Scholar 

  40. H Rougeaux M Guezennec LM Che C Payri E Deslandes J Guezennec (2001) ArticleTitleMicrobial communities and exopolysaccharides from polynesian mats. Mar Biotechnol 3 181–187 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXksVGmsr0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. BC Sander J Kalff (1993) ArticleTitleFactors controlling bacterial production in marine and freshwater sediments. Microb Ecol 26 79–99

    Google Scholar 

  42. CE Schlekat AW Decho GT Chandler (1998) ArticleTitleSorption of cadmium to bacterial extracellular polymeric sediment coatings under estuarine conditions. Environ Toxic Chem 17 1867–1874 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXlslGrtbo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. HS Shin ST Kang SY Nam (2001) ArticleTitleEffect of carbohydrate and protein in the EPS on sludge settling characteristics. Wat Sci Technol 43 193–196 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXktVOlu7w%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. DJ Smith GJC Underwood (1998) ArticleTitleExopolymer production by intertidal epipelic diatoms. Limnol Oceanogr 43 1578–1591 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXkvV2q

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. N Staats Bd Winder LJ Stal LR Mur (1999) ArticleTitleIsolation and characterization of extracellular polysaccharides from the epipelic diatoms Cylindrotheca closterium and Navicula salinarum. Eur J Phycol 34 161–169

    Google Scholar 

  46. IW Sutherland (2001) ArticleTitleExopolysaccharides in biofilms, flocs and related structures. Wat Sci Technol 43 77–86 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3psVCguw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. IS Taylor DW Paterson A Mehlert (1999) ArticleTitleThe quantitative variability and monosaccharide composition of sediment carbohydrates associated with intertidal diatom assemblages. Biogeochemistry 45 303–327 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXktlGms7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. GJC Underwood DM Paterson RJ Parkes (1995) ArticleTitleThe measurement of microbial carbohydrate exopolymers from intertidal sediments. Limnol Oceanogr 40 1243–1253 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xot1aksA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. GJC Underwood DJ Smith (1998) ArticleTitlePredicting epipelic diatom exopolymer concentrations in intertidal sediments from sediment chlorophyll a. Microb Ecol 35 116–125 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXitFygu78%3D Occurrence Handle9541548

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. FC van Duyl BD Winder AJ Kop U Wollenzien (1999) ArticleTitleTidal coupling between carbohydrate concentrations and bacterial activities in diatom-inhabited intertidal mudflats. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 191 19–32

    Google Scholar 

  51. FC van Duyl BD Winder AJ Kop U Wollenzien (2000) ArticleTitleConsequences of diatom mat erosion for carbohydrate concentrations and heterotrophic bacterial activities in intertidal sediments of the Ems-Dollard estuary. Contineathl Shelf Res 20 1335–1349

    Google Scholar 

  52. JH Vos MAG Ooijevaar JF Postma W Admiraal (2000) ArticleTitleInteraction between food availability and food quality during growth of early instar chironomid larvae. J N Am Benthol Soc 19 158–168

    Google Scholar 

  53. ML Yallop DM Paterson P Wellsbury (2000) ArticleTitleInterrelationships between rates of microbial production, exopolymer production, microbial biomass and sediment stability in biofilms of intertidal sediments. Microb Ecol 39 116–127 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXks1agtrs%3D Occurrence Handle10833224

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. JH Zar (1984) Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank M. Ridgway and the Harkness Fisheries Research Laboratory of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for financial and logistical support, and P. Rider and L. Bannister for help in the field. This research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through an Undergraduate Student Research Award to C.H. and an operating grant to H.C.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Ramsay Wright Zoological Laboratory, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3G5

    C. N. Hirst & H. Cyr

  2. School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 2K3

    I. A. Jordan

Authors
  1. C. N. Hirst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Cyr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. A. Jordan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Cyr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hirst, C., Cyr, H. & Jordan, I. Distribution of Exopolymeric Substances in the Littoral Sediments of an Oligotrophic Lake . Microb Ecol 46, 22–32 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-002-1064-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-002-1064-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation