Spatial and Temporal Variability of Microbial Nitrogen Cycling Genes in Arctic Streams

The Arctic is undergoing rapid climate change, with thawing permafrost and shifts in vegetation altering nitrogen (N) delivery into streams. These changes can significantly affect microbial biofilm diversity and functional roles, yet knowledge of streambed microbial biofilms remains scarce across th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Holmboe, Cecilie M.H., Riis, Tenna, Han, X., Romaní i Cornet, Anna M., Kjær, J. B., Tank, Jennifer, Gimenez Grau, Pau, Hille, E., D'Acqui, Luigi P., Catalán, Núria, Pastor, Oliveras
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:recercat____::5517f7ecfb155f16688ee71bc72bcff4
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10256/28664
https://hdl.handle.net/10256/28664
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Microbial communities
Prokaryotic
Arctic regions
Nitrogen
Canvi climàtic
Permafrost
Biodiversitat microbiana
Descripción
Sumario:The Arctic is undergoing rapid climate change, with thawing permafrost and shifts in vegetation altering nitrogen (N) delivery into streams. These changes can significantly affect microbial biofilm diversity and functional roles, yet knowledge of streambed microbial biofilms remains scarce across the Arctic. This study examines the biogeographic and temporal patterns of prokaryotic sediment diversity and N functional genes across a biogeographical gradient in Arctic regions. We sampled sediment from 27 streams across four Arctic regions, including 14 streams in Greenland that were sampled at three timepoints throughout the open‐water; all other streams were sampled once in midsummer. We analyzed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantified six genes involved in the N‐fixation (nifH), nitrification (amoA, nxrB), and denitrification (nirS, norB and nosZ). Our results showed that prokaryotic and N functional gene abundances varied among regions, with higher abundance in areas with more catchment vegetation and higher organic matter availability. However, the composition of prokaryote communities and N functional genes showed no regional differences. Prokaryotic abundance and diversity tended to increase toward late summer. This study highlights how catchment properties, particularly organic matter and vegetation, influence stream prokaryotic communities and their role in N cycling, providing key insights into ecosystem responses to climate change in the Arctic