Noninvasive Mapping of Photosynthetic Heterogeneity in Biological Soil Crusts by Positron Emission Tomography: Carbon Fixation

• DOI: 10.1021/ez500209c
• Publication Date: 2014-09-02T15:32:54Z
• Authors: Nicholas T. Vandehey; Trent R. Northen; Eoin L. Brodie; James P. O’Neil
• Keywords: Biogeochemistry; Microbial mat

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are critical contributors to the biogeochemistry of ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. Photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria often predominant primary producers, fixing both carbon nitrogen producing polysaccharides that aid stabilization. Here, we exposed BSCs 11CO2 quantified spatial distribution fixation on a millimeter scale using positron emission tomography (PET). These experiments showed live fixed up 20 times more than abiotic controls. The results present values for correlations between biological proxy chlorophyll concentration derived from photographs. For first time, apply PET imaging, tool holds great potential noninvasively characterizing mapping function either surface or deep within opaque environmental matrices, gain better understanding system organization with application photosynthetic microbes crusts.