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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982 December; 44(6): 1308-1317
Copyright © 1982, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Glucose Metabolism in Sediments of a Eutrophic Lake: Tracer Analysis of Uptake and Product Formation

Gary M. King and M. J. Klug

¹ W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060, and Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824²

ABSTRACT

The uptake of glucose and the formation of end products from glucose catabolism have been measured for sediments of eutrophic Wintergreen Lake with a combination of tritiated and ¹⁴C-labeled tracers. Time course analyses of the loss of [³H]glucose from sediments were used to establish rate constants for glucose uptake at natural substrate concentrations. Turnover times from these analyses were about 1 min for littoral and profundal sediments. No seasonal or site differences were noted in turnover times. Time course analyses of [U-¹⁴C]glucose uptake and ¹⁴C-labeled end product formation indicated that glucose mass flow could not be calculated from end product formation since the specific activity of added [¹⁴C]glucose was significantly diluted by pools of intracellular glucose and glucose metabolites. Mass flow could only be accurately estimated by use of rates of uptake from tracer studies. Intermediate fermentation end products included acetate (71%), propionate (15%), lactate (9%), and only minor amounts of butyrates or valerates. Addition of H₂ to sediments resulted in greater production of lactate (28%) and decreased formation of acetate (50%), but did not affect glucose turnover. Depth profiles of glucose uptake indicated that rates of uptake decreased with depth over the 0- to 18-cm interval and that glucose uptake accounted for 30 to 40% of methanogenesis in profundal sediments.

Present address: Ira C. Darling Marine Center of the University of Maine, Orono, Walpole, ME 04573.

Contribution 491 from the Kellogg Biological Station and 10637 from the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station.

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