SREL Reprint #3028

Detrital lipid dynamics in a blackwater stream: comparison of fast and slow decomposing leaves

J. Vaun McArthur and Gary L. Mills

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA

Abstract: Temporal changes in eight different lipid classes (hydrocarbons, wax esters, triglycerides, fatty acids, alcohols, sterols, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and polar lipids) were followed during decomposition of two different species of leaves (water oak, Quercus nigra, and sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua) in a southeastern blackwater stream using chromarod thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID). Differences were observed between the two species in the initial quantity and changes over time of the major lipid classes. These differences in specific classes may contribute to some of the observed patterns in rates of decomposition. However, total lipid concentrations were fairly similar between the two leaf species over time. TLC-FID was shown to be an effective tool in monitoring the dynamics of leaf lipids during decomposition.

Keywords: lipids, hydrocarbons, wax esters, fatty acid methyl esters, triglycerides, fatty acids, alcohols, sterols, monoglycerides, diglycerides, polar lipids, litter decomposition, TLC-FID, Iatroscan, Chromarods

SREL Reprint #3028

McArthur, J. V. and G. L. Mills. 2007. Detrital lipid dynamics in a blackwater stream: comparison of fast and slow decomposing leaves. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 168(2):137-143.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).