Decomposition in Arctic terrestrial environments

• Main Author: Laursen, G.A.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; CELLULOSE; METABOLISM; PEAT; DECOMPOSITION; ALASKA; ARCTIC REGIONS; BIOMASS; CELLULASE; MICROORGANISMS; PROGRESS REPORT; SITE CHARACTERIZATION; WATER; CARBOHYDRATES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DOCUMENT TYPES; ENERGY SOURCES; ENZYMES; FEDERAL REGION X; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; HYDROLASES; NORTH AMERICA; O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC MATTER; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLAR REGIONS; POLYSACCHARIDES; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; SACCHARIDES; USA; Arctic; north slope; Tundra; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5596562; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5596562; https://doi.org/10.2172/5596562

The principal goal of this research unit is to further elucidate the rate and quality of microbial decomposition within cold, wet, Arctic tundra peat soils found in water tract systems of Foothills Province terrain (8-10{degree}) on the north slope of Alaska. Research objectives include demonstration of of four hypotheses. A positive correlation exists between the rate of decomposing litter and the viable microbial (fungal) biomass, as measured by ARP activities and direct counts, associated with that litter. In Arctic tundra peat soil systems, there exists a positive correlation between the presence and abundance of viable mycelial biomass and the enzymatic potential for degradative activity as measured by the presence of cellulase, peroxidase, chitinase and protease enzymes produced by the miocrobial community. Substrate quality, as defined by lignin to cellulose ratios, influences the rate of natural litter decomposition. The lignin to total nitrogen ratio describes an inverse correlation to decomposition rates of litter.