The effect of solar radiation on the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of prairie wetlands / Marley J. Waiser

Prairie wetlands are among the most productive aquatic ecosystems on earth. Most are shallow and contain extremely high concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). But the degree to which increased levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) might affect their microbial ecology and biogeochemistry is unknown. Two hydrological distinct wetlands typical of the prairie pothole region (Pond 50 and Pond 109 at the St. Denis National Wildlife Refuge, Saskatchewan, Canada) were chosen as the major research sites for this study. Over a period of three years, DOC concentration, optical characteristics, and composition were intensively monitored on a seasonal basis at these two sites. A number of experiments were carried out to investigate the biological availability of DOC to the bacterial community. Experiments were also conducted to examine the effects of current levels of solar radiation on the production and growth of attached and pelagic bacteria and phytoplankton in five prairie waterbodi