Effect of different wetness conditions on Sphagnum lipid composition in the Erxianyan peatland, central China

摘要

Samples of Sphagnum palustre and peat from the Erxianyan peatland, central China, were analyzed for lipids and their carbon isotopes to investigate how lipid distributions respond to hydrological change and to evaluate the importance of the contribution of microbial lipids to the peat moss. The lipids in samples collected from different hydrological settings in and around a pond and in the central part of the bog show clear variation along the hydrological gradient, with higher n-C _(23)-C _(25) alkane ratio values and lower ACL (average chain length) values of long chain n-alkanes, n-fatty alcohols and n-fatty acids at the wetter sites. Although the relationship between the S. palustre lipids and the hydrological conditions can be partially overprinted in peat by an input from vascular plants, lipid ratios such as P _(aq) and ACL can provide useful qualitative information about Sphagnum contributions. In addition, lipid composition and carbon isotope values provide information about microbial activity associated with S. palustre. The occurrence of a high abundance of 7-methylheptadecane in submerged S. palustre is an indication of cyanobacteria in the living peat moss. The relatively ~(13)C-depleted carbon isotope values of the n-C _(23) alkane could result from the influence of symbiotic methanotrophs on the carbon available for assimilation by S. palustre.