Temporal variation of total carbohydrates, polysaccharides, monosaccharides and microbial metabolic activity in Estero de Punta Banda, Mexico

Abstract

The concentration of total carbohydrates (CHOT), monosaccharides (MCHO) and polysaccharides (PCHO) was measured in situ using the MBTH technique. Samples were taken in diel cycles inside and outside a mesocosm in order to elucidate the pattern of production and consumption. Six seasonal samplings were conducted in one year during spring tides. Changes in the different carbohydrate fractions were compared to temperature, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, gross production bacterial biomass and planktonic community respiration. Outside the mesocosm, the changes in these variables are mainly intluenced by advective processes. A linear, inverse relationship between PCHO and MCHO is found, suggesting microbial degradation. Also, CHOT concentrations ate directly proportional to PCHO concentrations. The variability of the MCHO concentration is mainly esplained by chlorophyll a, suggesting a phytoplanktonic origin. On the other hand, PCHO are mainly explained by the tide and temperature. indicating their possible origin in the macrophytes of the marsh area. The presence of carbohydrate-like organic matter is detected by the MBTH technique masking the diurnal variations of- the carbohydrates outside the mesocosm. Outside the mesocosm, advective processes interfere with the interpretation of diel cycles of the MCHO, PCHO, and CHOT concentrations. However, inside the mesocosm it is possible to clearly observe carbohydrate degrading processes on a seasonal scale.