C, N and P nutrition of Lemanea mamillosa Kütz. (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in the Dighty Burn, Angus, U.K.

Abstract. Field measurements of the growth rate of the red freshwater macroalga Lemanca mamillosa Kutz, in the Dighty Burn, together with measurements of water velocity, [CO₂], [NO₃], [NH₃+ NH₄⁺] and [phosphate], have been made between February and July. This period covers the growth of the erect gametophyte and later of the carposporophyte inside the gametophyte. Hydrodynamic studies in the laboratory on benzoic acid models of the gametophyte suggest an average in situ unstirred layer some 12 μm thick. For growth of the gametophyte, this estimated boundary layer thickness, together with the measured inorganic C transport pathway within the plant, suggest that growth is not significantly restricted by CO₂ transport from the bulk phase to the plastids. δ¹³C measurements on source CO₂ and on plant organic C bear this out. Habitat choice (low temperatures: CO₂ enrichment from ground-water input: rapid water flow), plant morphology and anatomy (turbulence-generating ‘knobbles’ on the nodes; plastids close to the outside of the plant), and plant biochemistry (high CO₂ affinity of the RUBISCO carboxylase; quite high carbonic anhydrase activity) are responsible for this lack of limitation by inorganic C transport in the growing gametophyte which lacks HCO₃ transport and a CO₂ concentrating mechanism. Transport through the boundary layer does not significantly restrict acquisition by the plant of N (probably as NH₄⁺, despite the preponderance of NO₃ in the environment) or of P (as orthophosphate) in the field. The membrane transporters, which have high substrate affinities (K½'s about 2 mmol NH₄⁺ m^-3 and < 2 mmol inorganic phosphate m^?3), probably impose the major limitation. The development of the carposporophyte later in the season, and an increase in the thickness of the cortex of the gametophyte, result in an increased (less negative) δ¹³C, suggesting a significant diffusion limitation to CO₂ transport. This conclusion is reinforced by consideration of the opposing effect on Δδ¹³ C of the decreased demand for products of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity as the N/C ratio decreases late in the growing season.     

Effects of phosphorus and nitrogen enrichment on the yield of some strains of Stigeoclonium Kütz. (Chlorophyceae)

SUMMARY.

• 1 The combined effect of nitrate and phosphate concentrations on the yields of five selected strains of Stigeoclonium is demonstrated in a synthetic medium as well as in natural waters.
• 2 Increase of yield after addition of one nutrient depends on the concentration of the other. A graphic growth model based on the experiments in synthetic medium is presented, which allows prediction of yields at different combinations of nitrate and phosphorus concentrations.
• 3 In general, yields in natural waters before and after addition of nitrate and/or phosphate agree with the model. In some cases, other limiting factors appear to be involved.
• 4 The possible effects of nitrogen and phosphorus limitation on the phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism of the alga are discussed.
• 5 Neither an exponential model (Baule-Mitscherlich) nor a hyperbolic model adequately describe the interaction demonstrated between nitrogen and phosphorus limitation.

     

Hormogonia mass differentiation from Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. (cyanobacterium) and the comparison of structural characteristics between hormogonia and vegetative filaments

It was found that, after colonies of Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz. in exponential phase of growth were transferred to fresh complete BG‐11₀ medium, the hormogonia differentiated independent of the type of preculture used. This provided evidence that the hormogonia differentiation was not directly related to phosphorus and potassium status, nor to the osmotic effect of the media. In contrast, all the cultures in the stationary growth phase had no hormogonium differentiation after being transferred to fresh medium. However, the incomplete media for preculture seemed to favor the liberation of hormogonia from colonies to the medium. The result showed that the morphology and ultrastruc‐tures of the vegetative filament, the main stage of Nostocacean life history, determine its adaptability in changing environments, while the hormogonium remains as a propagule of the species.