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Testate amoeba response to acid deposition in a Scottish peatland

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Abstract

Peatlands around the world are exposed to anthropogenic or volcanogenic sulphur pollution. Impacts on peatland microbial communities have been inferred from changes in gas flux but have rarely been directly studied. In this study, the impacts of sulphuric acid deposition on peatland testate amoebae were investigated by analysis of experimental plots on a Scottish peatland almost 7 years after acid treatment. Results showed reduced concentration of live amoebae and changes in community structure which remained significant even when differences in pH were accounted for. Several possible explanations for the impacts can be proposed including taphonomic processes and changes in plant communities. Previous studies have inferred a shift from methanogenic archaea to sulphate-reducing bacteria in sulphate-treated peats; it is possible that the impacts detected here might relate to this change, perhaps through testate amoeba predation on methanotrophs.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Andrew McIntyre for permission to set up these experiments on the Moss of Achnacree and to the current landowner and factor for continuing permission to access the site. The map was prepared by Ed Oliver (Queen Mary, University of London) and Graham Bowden (University of Manchester). These experiments were established when the author was in receipt of a Westfield Studentship from Queen Mary, University of London, and research on the site continued during the course of a University of Manchester Humanities Research Fellowship. Thanks to two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments on a previous version of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Environmental & Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK

    Richard J. Payne

  2. School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Richard J. Payne

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Correspondence to Richard J. Payne.

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Payne, R.J. Testate amoeba response to acid deposition in a Scottish peatland. Aquat Ecol 44, 373–385 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-009-9297-9

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