Carbon fluxes intensity from substrates and phototrophic consortiums of the photic zones in Montenegro caves

Carbon dioxide fluxes from substrates and consortiums were estimated for the first time in the photic zones of seven caves of Montenegro. The dependence of consortiums productivity with their species composition and structure, as well as determination of the priority source of carbon dioxide for the primary producers of trophic chains of the photic zones were revealed. Five consortiums were distinguished in the fouling communities of the photic zones of seven karst caves of Montenegro: with the dominance of acrocarpous mosses, pleurocarpous mosses, green algae, cyanobacteria biofilms and sheath-forming cyanobacteria on various substrates. The closed chamber technique was used to calculate carbon fluxes. The net carbon flux, gross respiration of substrates and consortiums, and gross primary production of consortiums in the summer and winter were determined. The biomass of the phototrophic and heterotrophic components of the consortiums was estimated. Isotopic analysis of clay deposits and phytomass of bryophytes in the consotriums as well as on the surface was carried out. All of the investigated consortiums function as a carbon sink in both seasons, providing a negative balance to the atmosphere. Consortiums with the dominance of bryophytes possessed the greatest biomass, spores of micromycetes dominated in the heterotrophic component. The respiration of substrates was maximized on clay deposits, the respiration rate increased in winter. Phototrophic respiration and gross primary production were maximal in the consortiums of acrocarpous mosses and case-forming cyanobacteria in terms of dry phytomass. Increased content of the light carbon isotope 12C in the bryophytes phytomass in the photic zones compared to the bryophytes phytomass on the surface was established. © 2020 Institute for Biodiversity and Ecology.