The crystallization water of gypsum rocks is a relevant water source for plants

Palacio, Sara; Azorín, José; Montserrat-Martı́, Gabriel; Ferrio, Juan Pedro

doi:10.1038/ncomms5660

Cited by 78 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(68 reference statements)

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“…Concentrations of these ions decreased downstream of sub‐catchments C and B, reflecting dilution with water from the crystalline terrain. Gypsum layers are generally known to be good water storages (i.e., Palacio, Azorín, Montserrat‐Martí, & Ferrio, ), and in sub‐catchments B and C, they contribute a significant part of the low‐flow discharge. In sub‐catchments B and C, 22% and 15%, respectively, of measured discharge comes from sedimentary rock layers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio‐temporal variability in contributions to low flows in the high Alpine Poschiavino catchment

Floriancic

Meerveld

Smoorenburg

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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In order to predict streamflow accurately during extended dry periods, we need to understand the spatial variability of low flows and the extent to which it is affected by the spatial organization and drainage of catchment subsurface storage areas. This is especially true in Alpine catchments with widely varying topography, lithology, sediment deposits, and soil properties. Field measurements in the Poschiavino catchment in southern Switzerland, during a winter recession period without recharge, provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the connections between subsurface storage areas, low flows, and their variability. We measured discharge in four nested sub‐catchments during seven field campaigns in the winter of 2013–2014. We analysed stream water electrical conductivity (EC) and water chemistry to identify the areas contributing to low‐flow discharge and estimated their contributions. Sediment cover type and thickness were mapped using a recently developed tool for geomorphology‐based storage classification of mountainous terrain, to determine the physical properties of the subsurface storage areas contributing to low‐flow discharge. Recession analyses combined with water chemistry data allowed the detection of different drainage timescales and the estimation of storage potential of the unconsolidated (Quaternary) deposits. We found substantial spatial variation in storage depletion between the sub‐catchments, ranging from 54 mm to 200 mm for the four‐month monitoring period. Variability in low‐flow contributions from different catchments and different recession behavior could be related to the differences in the estimated storage potential. For some point sources, we could quantify the contributing area and thus quantify low flows at the hillslope scale. Overall, the low‐flow variability is mostly related to the fraction of precipitation that recharges subsurface storage areas and to the properties influencing their drainage. To capture these processes, we suggest low‐flow geomorphological mapping approaches that consider not only morphometric (shape of the landscape) and geologic (properties of the bedrock) controls but also the water storage potential of debris cover and weathered rock.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio‐temporal variability in contributions to low flows in the high Alpine Poschiavino catchment

Floriancic

Meerveld

Smoorenburg

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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“…Superficial soil water may be scarce during summer and these plants have low stomatal control (Palacio et al. ; León‐Sánchez et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, if mediated by the dissolution of gypsum (Palacio et al. ), the release of gypsum crystallization water would imply a release of large amounts of Ca and SO 4 , which are toxic to most plants (Ruiz et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mechanisms that make possible the use of gypsum crystallization water by plants remain unknown, but it has been suggested that plant rhyzobiota may play a prominent role (Palacio et al. ). Indeed, different fungi, including ecto‐mycorrhizal (ECM) species, have been reported to dissolve gypsum, making soluble sulphate potentially available to neighbouring plants (Gharieb & Gadd ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water use segregation among plants with contrasting root depth and distribution along gypsum hills

Palacio

Montserrat-Martı́

Ferrio

2017

J Vegetation Science

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Aims Plant communities growing along gypsum hills in NE Spain show a distinct zonation that may depend on water table depth, salt and nutrient availability gradients between hilltops and saline depressions. We analysed the main sources of water used by woody species in these communities. Specifically, we assessed whether hydrological niche segregation occurred among dominant woody species with different root depth and plant location along gypsum hills during spring and summer. Location Miocene gypsum formations of NE Spain, Middle‐Ebro depression. Methods We analysed the oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of the xylem water of ten dominant woody species growing along gypsum hills and compared it to water extracted from the top 20 cm of the soil, gypsum crystallization water and groundwater, both in spring and summer. Bayesian isotope mixing models were used to estimate the proportion of each water source used by different species. Results There was a clear segregation in the sources of water used by dominant woody species from plant communities co‐existing on gypsum hills, and such segregation responded to their rooting depth and position along the hill. Shallow‐rooted plants growing out of saline depressions exploited superficial free soil water and gypsum crystallization water, and had limited access to groundwater, particularly during summer. In contrast, deep‐rooted plants and shallow‐rooted plants from saline depressions thrived preferentially on the water table. Such differences were noticeable in spring, but became sharper during summer. Conclusions Woody species from gypsum hills have different hydrological niches. Niche segregation is mainly related to the depth of the root system of plants and to their position along gypsum hills, which determine proximity to the water table. It is accentuated during summer, highlighting the role of summer drought as a structuring factor in gypsum plant communities. The segregation of the water sources used by plants is related to a suite of phenological, functional and anatomical features, indicating adaptation of plant species to their respective hydrological niches.

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“…In addition to halite and biofilm we included montmorillonite in our study, as it has been identified in the Martian soil (Poulet et al 2005;Vaniman et al 2014) and may form associates with bacteria being beneficial for their metabolism and survival (reviewed by Marshall 1975 andEngland et al 1993) as well as being a source of water supply. Palacio et al (2014) discusses even the crystallization water of other minerals like gypsum as a relevant water source for plants in an extremely dry environment. Because huge deposits of sulphate hydrates are well known to occur on the Martian surface Gendrin et al 2005) crystallization water may potentially be another water source for microorganisms on Mars.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Provision of water by halite deliquescence forNostoc communebiofilms under Mars relevant surface conditions

Jänchen

Feyh

Szewzyk

et al. 2015

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Motivated by findings of new mineral related water sources for organisms under extremely dry conditions on Earth we studied in an interdisciplinary approach the water sorption behaviour of halite, soil component and terrestrial Nostoc commune biofilm under Mars relevant environmental conditions. Physicochemical methods served for the determination of water sorption equilibrium data and survival of heterotrophic bacteria in biofilm samples with different water contents was assured by recultivation. Deliquescence of halite provides liquid water at temperatures <273 K and may serve as water source on Mars during the morning stabilized by the CO 2 atmosphere for a few hours. The protecting biofilm of N. commune is rather hygroscopic and tends to store water at lower humidity values. Survival tests showed that a large proportion of the Alphaproteobacteria dominated microbiota associated to N. commune is very desiccation tolerant and water uptake from saturated NaCl solutions (either by direct uptake of brine or adsorption of humidity) did not enhance recultivability in long-time desiccated samples. Still, a minor part can grow under highly saline conditions. However, the salinity level, although unfavourable for the host organism, might be for parts of the heterotrophic microbiota no serious hindrance for growing in salty Mars-like environments.

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The crystallization water of gypsum rocks is a relevant water source for plants

Cited by 78 publications

References 40 publications

Spatio‐temporal variability in contributions to low flows in the high Alpine Poschiavino catchment

Spatio‐temporal variability in contributions to low flows in the high Alpine Poschiavino catchment

Water use segregation among plants with contrasting root depth and distribution along gypsum hills

Provision of water by halite deliquescence forNostoc communebiofilms under Mars relevant surface conditions

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