The photoelectric effect and microbial response mechanisms in the euphotic zone of the Minjiang River estuary

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.3.24

Abstract

Abstract:

The photoelectrotrophic metabolic pathway of non-photosynthetic microorganisms plays a pivotal role in energy cycle within ecosystems. Oceanic euphotic zone provides key conditions for triggering photoelectrochemical nutrient metabolism, such as the availability of natural light, intense material and energy exchanges, and active biochemical processes. However, the photoelectrochemical responses of its photosensitive substances and microbial communities remain underexplored. This study examines the composition, spatial distribution, and photoelectrochemical responses of photosensitive substances, and microbial community structure in the photic zone across the estuarine, nearshore, and offshore regions of the Minjiang River estuary. The findings show that all three regions contain photosensitive substances, including suspended semiconductor particles, natural pigments, and dissolved organic matter (DOM), with concentrations decreasing with distance from shore. Notably, the nearshore region harbors the highest abundance of photosynthetic microorganisms. Photoelectrical measurements further reveal that the nearshore region exhibits the most pronounced photoelectric effect, likely due to its higher concentration of photosensitive substances and fewer interference from coexisting materials. Microbial community analysis demonstrates a clear photoelectrochemical response pattern, with a significant positive correlation between the abundance of electroactive microorganisms and the concentrations of photosensitive substances, highlighting that the distribution of electroactive microorganisms closely aligns with regions of efficient photoelectrochemical conversion of photosensitive substances. Consequently, the synergistic interaction between natural photosensitive substances and electroactive microorganisms may provide new theoretical insights into the biogeochemical cycling of elements such as carbon and nitrogen in marine ecosystems.

Key words: oceanic euphotic zone, photosensitive substance, microbial community, photoelectric effect, elemental geochemical cycle

CLC Number:

Q937

CHEN Li, WANG Shuhui, YUAN Weiqi, GU Wenzhi, YE Jie, ZHOU Shungui. The photoelectric effect and microbial response mechanisms in the euphotic zone of the Minjiang River estuary[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2025, 32(3): 207-217.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of sampling at Minjiang River estuary

Fig.2 Characterization of suspended mineral particles in the oceanic euphotic zone

Fig.3 Characterization of natrural pigments and dissolved organie matter in the oceanic euphotic zone

Fig.4 Photoelectrochemical signals in the ocean euphotic zone

Fig.5 Analysis of microbial community structure in the oceanic euphotic zone across different regions

Fig.6 Mechanism interactions of photosensitive substances-microorganisms corresponding and their effects on elemental geochemical cycle

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