Spatiotemporal dynamics of different CO2 fixation strategies used by prokaryotes in a dimictic lake

Abstract

Abstract The Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle and the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate (HP/HB) cycle are two inorganic carbon assimilation pathways widely used by prokaryotic autotrophs in lakes. We investigated the effect of mixing periods and stable water stratification patterns on the trajectories of both CO2 fixation strategies in a dimictic lake (Piburger See), because information on the spatiotemporal dynamics of prokaryotes using these pathways in freshwater ecosystems is far from complete. Based on a quantitative approach (droplet digital PCR) of genes coding for key enzymes in different CO2 assimilation pathways, nine depths covering the entire water column were investigated on a monthly basis for one year. Our data show that the abundance of photoautotrophs and obligate chemolithoautotrophs preferentially using form IA RubisCO was determined by seasonal variations. Highest numbers were observed in summer, while a strong decline of prokrayotes using RubisCO form IA was measured between December and May, the period where the lake was mostly covered by ice. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns of genes coding for RubisCO form IC genes, an enzyme usually used by facultative autotrophs for CO2 assimilation, were less pronounced. Bacteria harboring RubisCO form II were dominating the oxygen limited hypolimnion, while nitrifying Thaumarchaeota using the HP/HB cycle were of minor importance in the lake. Our data reveal that the seasonal heterogeneity, which is determined by the dimictic thermal regime of the lake, results in pronounced spatiotemporal changes of different CO2 assimilation pathways with depth-dependent environmental parameters as key factors for their distribution.