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The decomposition of aquatic macrophytes: bioassays versus in situ experiments

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Abstract

In aquatic sciences, the agreement between laboratory and field observations remains a challenge. Using kinetic modeling, this research aims to compare the decomposition in laboratory and in situ conditions. In the in situ incubations, the mass decreases of the aquatic macrophytes (Echinodorus tenellus, Hydrocotyle verticillata, Najas microcarpa and Pontederia parviflora) were described using a litter bag technique and in the laboratory their decomposition was maintained under controlled conditions. The plants and water samples were collected from a tropical reservoir (Brazil). To describe the particulate organic carbon (POC) decay we adopted a two stage kinetic model that considered the heterogeneity of resources. The released organic carbon (i.e., losses related to mineralization, dissolution and sedimentation of smaller particles than the litter bag mesh) were used to compare the results derived from the field and laboratory incubations. Despite the methodological differences, the results show equivalence among the POC decay. The decomposition measured by litter bags method was 1.32 faster, owing to the effects of losses by sedimentation of the smaller particles, abrasion, action of decomposer organisms (e.g., fragmentation and enzymatic attack) and synergy among these factors. From a mathematical modeling approach, the results validate the use of decomposition data obtained under controlled conditions providing estimations of energy and matter fluxes within aquatic ecosystems. However, it is necessary to adopt a coefficient to acquire the similarity (e.g., 1.32).

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq proc. no 302935/2007-0) and the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP proc. no: 2007/002683-7) for the funding for this research. We are also grateful to Dr. Osvaldo N. Oliveira Jr. (IFSC-USP) for his critical proof reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecótonos, Universidade Federal de Tocantins (UFT), Av. NS 15, ALCNO 14, Bloco IV, 109 Norte, Palmas, TO, 77001-090, Brazil

    D. S. Silva & E. E. Marques

  2. Departamento Hidrobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    M. B. Cunha-Santino & I. Bianchini Jr.

  3. Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT), Neamb, Rua 03 QD 17 Jardins dos Ipês, Porto Nacional, TO, 77500-000, Brazil

    E. E. Marques

  4. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil

    I. Bianchini Jr.

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  1. D. S. Silva
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  2. M. B. Cunha-Santino
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Handling editor: Sidinei Magela Thomaz

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Silva, D.S., Cunha-Santino, M.B., Marques, E.E. et al. The decomposition of aquatic macrophytes: bioassays versus in situ experiments. Hydrobiologia 665, 219–227 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0625-4

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