Decomposition of organic matter in the littoral sediments of a lake

This thesis deals with the microbial decomposition of organic matter in littoral sediments of lakes. Special attention was given to the initial step in the decomposition of polysaccharides that form a major component of macrophyte litter produced in these systems. This initial step, an extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis, is generally regarded as the rate limiting step in the decomposition of biopolymers in natural systems. The study site selected was an almost monospecific stand of common reed, Phragmites australis, that covers the upper littoral zone of Lake Gooimeer, The Netherlands.The firs... Mehr ...