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Colimitation and the coupling of N and P uptake kinetics in oligotrophic mountain streams

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Abstract

Ecosystem element cycles can be tightly linked by both abiotic and biotic processes. Evidence for multi-element limitation (i.e., colimitation) of a variety of ecosystem processes is growing rapidly, yet our ability to quantify patterns of coupled nutrient dynamics at the ecosystem level has been hindered by logistical and methodological constraints. Here we quantify coupled nitrogen and phosphorus uptake kinetics in three oligotrophic mountain streams by using novel experimental techniques that quantify colimitation dynamics across a range of nutrient concentrations and stoichiometries. We show that relative demand for NO3-N and PO4-P varied across streams, but that short term availability of one nutrient consistently resulted in elevated, but variable, uptake of the other nutrient at all sites. We used temporally offset, pulsed nutrient additions to parameterize dual-nutrient Michaelis–Menten uptake surface models that represent NO3-N and PO4-P uptake at any given concentration or dissolved NO3-N:PO4-P stoichiometry. Our results indicated that the uptake of N and P were strongly enhanced in the presence of the other nutrient. Surface models quantitatively reflect patterns of colimitation and multi-element demand in streams, and should allow for parameterization of more realistic stream network models that explicitly account for interactions among element cycles.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Montana State University, EPA STAR Grant R832449, EPA 319 funds administered by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and the USGS 104(b) grant program administered by the Montana Water Center. Funding was also provided by National Science Foundation EPSCoR program (M66012/66013). We thank Erin Seybold, Kate Henderson, James Hood, and James Junker for colleague reviews and Tim Covino, Kristin Gardner, and Galena Montross for research support and collaboration. We also thank two anonymous reviewers and Dr. Chris Evans for their very constructive feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA

    Leslie R. Piper & Wyatt F. Cross

  2. Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 109 Old Chemistry, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Brian L. McGlynn

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  1. Leslie R. Piper
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  2. Wyatt F. Cross
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  3. Brian L. McGlynn
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Correspondence to Wyatt F. Cross.

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Responsible Editor: Chris D. Evans.

Appendix: A series of figures that helps to visualize data resulting from the dual-nutrient additions

Appendix: A series of figures that helps to visualize data resulting from the dual-nutrient additions

This first figure shows concentrations of nitrate-N and phosphate-P during a typical dual-nutrient slug. The bars on the left indicate the mass of each nutrient added during the slug.

This next figure shows raw data for a typical breakthrough curve for nitrate-N and chloride during a dual slug. Phosphate-P curves look similar, but are offset in time.

This last figure shows the relationship between observed nitrate concentrations during the slug (y-axis) and expected nitrate concentrations if nitrate was not taken up by stream biota (x-axis). The expected concentration is calculated as the background-corrected chloride concentration multiplied by the ratio of nitrate to chloride in the nutrient slug. The dashed line is a 1:1 line. The difference between this line and the data points represents biological uptake.

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Piper, L.R., Cross, W.F. & McGlynn, B.L. Colimitation and the coupling of N and P uptake kinetics in oligotrophic mountain streams. Biogeochemistry 132, 165–184 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-017-0294-0

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