Studies on the growth of Cladophora glomerata in laboratory continuous-flow culture

Cladophora glomerata grown in continuous-flow culture was found to have optimal specific growth rate (μ) at, or near, 20°C. Specific growth rate increased linearly with increased duration of illumination per day up to 24h, and increased light intensity up to 6000 lx. Undissociated ammoniacal nitrogen (0·185 mg 1^-1) reduced μ to 50% of that at 0·010 mg 1^-1: 0·077–1·057 mg NO₂-N1^-1 and 7·2–15·2 mg NO₃-N1^-1 had no significant effect on μ. At 4·9 mg PO₄-P1^-1, μ was 48% of that at 1·9 mg1^-1. The critical medium PO₄-P concentration was less than 0·098 mg1^-1. Specific growth rate was reduced to 50% of that in the based medium by 0·036 mg Cu1^-1, 0·070 mg Zn1^-1 and 1·03 mg Pb1^-1. Results are discussed in the context of the natural distribution of the alga in the field situation.