|
International Journal of Environment Science and Technology
Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
ISSN: 1735-1472 EISSN: 1735-1472
Vol. 12, No. 7, 2015, pp. 2427-2434
|
Bioline Code: st15228
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
International Journal of Environment Science and Technology, Vol. 12, No. 7, 2015, pp. 2427-2434
en |
Latitude-dependent underestimation of microbial extracellular enzyme activity in soils
Gonzalez, J. M.; Portillo, M. C. & Piñeiro-Vidal, M. P
Abstract
Decomposition of soil organic matter by
microorganisms is a major process governing the carbon
balance between soil and atmosphere which needs to be
fully understood. Extracellular enzyme activity is often the
limiting factor for microbial utilization of soil organic
matter. Contrary to expectations, we observed that enzymatic
activity rises at increasing temperatures in soils and
sediments. Current climatic change will induce the increase
of global mean temperatures, frequency of extreme heat
events and soil temperatures during the next decades. The
relevance of the increase in activity at high temperature is
dependent on latitude. At latitudes around and below 40° a
significant number of days per year present high temperatures.
Results suggest that the hydrolytic activity of
microbial extracellular enzymes is currently underestimated
mainly at medium and low latitudes where soil
temperatures frequently reach high values (often above
40 °C). This report contributes to understand (1) the
hydrolysis of soil organic matter within a latitude-dependent
scenario of global warming and (2) the role of
microorganisms in processing soil organic matter and their
influence in carbon cycling.
Keywords
Extracellular enzyme activity; Global warming; Extreme heat events; Microbial activity; Latitude; Soil; High temperature
|
|
© Copyright 2015 - International Journal of Environment Science and Technology Alternative site location: http://www.ijest.org
|
|