Elevated salinity decreases soil microbial CO2-fixation rates and alters
carbon fixation pathway in wetlands of Songnen Plain
Abstract
Salinity, which induces changes in the soil microbial function and
metabolic pathways, has important implications for soil carbon cycling.
We carried out 13CO2 labelling experiments and metagenomic sequencing
analysis for soil samples from Zhalong, Momoge, Niuxintaobao, and
Xianghai sites in Songnen Plain. We found that the CO2 fixation rate of
soil microbe in Songnen Plain wetlands ranged from 39.78 to 147.22 mg C
m-2 day-1 in the natural salinity condition. Soil salinity increasing
1% and 2% decreased the microbial CO2 fixation amount. Elevated soil
salinity increased soil microbial diversity (Chao 1 index) and altered
its composition. Soil carbon fixing microbial abundances
(Sphingomonadaceae and Lysobacter) decreased with salinity increase and
were positively correlated with soil microbial CO2 fixing amount. The
abundances of salt resistant microbes (Rhodohalobacter, Nitriliruptor,
and Halomonas) increased with soil salinity increase, but were
negatively correlated with soil microbial CO2 fixing amount. The rTCA
cycle, 3-HP cycle, DC/4-HB and Calvin cycles were the predominant soil
carbon fixing pathways under the natural salinity condition. Soil
microbial abundances involved in rTCA cycle in Xianghai, Niuxintaobao
wetlands and 3-HP, DC/4-HB cycles in Zhalong, Momoge wetlands decreased
with salinity increase. 3-HP cycle was the predominant soil carbon
fixing pathway in the 1% salinity addition treatment. rTCA cycle and
Calvin cycle were the predominant soil carbon fixing pathways in the 2%
salinity addition treatment. These findings contribute to a holistic
view of soil microbial communities and carbon fixation functions in
response to soil salinity, and provide new insights into carbon
sequestration and carbon management in wetlands.