Inorganic carbon uptake by phytoplankton in vineyard sound,Massachusetts. I. Measurements of the photosynthesis-irradiance response of winter and early-spring assemblages

The photosynthesis-irradiance dependence of natural phytoplankton assemblages from surface waters of Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, was investigated over a several month period during late winter —early spring, 1982, when water temperatures were ? 0.5 to 8.5°C. Maximal photosynthetic rates not only were consistently observed between 7–15% I₀, but were substantially higher than previously reported rates for cold-water assemblages, averaging 10–20 μg C · μg Chl a^?1 · h^?1. At higher light intensities photo-inhibition was severe and developed within minutes to tens of minutes of the start of the experiment. Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that photoinhibition in situ may be much less that that measured in incubations of > 30 min duration; residence time of phytoplankton at surface light intensities is sufficiently short, and adaptation of photosynthetic capacity appears to have occurred to approximately the mean depth of the water column. These results further highlight the importance of establishing the time-dependent photosynthetic responses of phytoplankton and the relationship to the physical mixing regime in estimating primary productivity.     

Nitrogen Utilization and Toxin Production by Two Diatoms of the Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima Complex: P. cuspidata and P. fryxelliana

The toxigenic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata, isolated from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, was examined in unialgal batch cultures to evaluate domoic acid (DA) toxicity and growth as a function of light, N substrate, and growth phase. Experiments conducted at saturating (120 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) and subsaturating (40 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), demonstrate that P. cuspidata grows significantly faster at the higher PPFD on all three N substrates tested [nitrate (NO₃^?), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and urea], but neither cellular toxicity nor exponential growth rates were strongly associated with one N source over the other at high PPFD. However, at the lower PPFD, the exponential growth rates were approximately halved, and the cells were significantly more toxic regardless of N substrate. Urea supported significantly faster growth rates, and cellular toxicity varied as a function of N substrate with NO₃^?‐supported cells being significantly more toxic than both NH₄⁺‐ and urea‐supported cells at the low PPFD. Kinetic uptake parameters were determined for another member of the P. pseudodelicatissima complex, P. fryxelliana. After growth of these cells on NO₃^? they exhibited maximum specific uptake rates (V_max) of 22.7, 29.9, 8.98 × 10^?3 · h^?1, half‐saturation constants (K_s) of 1.34, 2.14, 0.28 μg‐at N · L^?1, and affinity values (α) of 17.0, 14.7, 32.5 × 10^?3 · h^?1/(μg‐at N · L^?1) for NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ and urea, respectively. These labo‐ratory results demonstrate the capability of P. cuspidata to grow and produce DA on both oxidized and reduced N substrates during both exponential and stationary growth phases, and the uptake kinetic results for the pseudo‐cryptic species, P. fryxelliana suggest that reduced N sources from coastal runoff could be important for maintenance of these small pennate diatoms in U.S. west coast blooms, especially during times of low ambient N concentrations.     

THE UPTAKE OF IODATE BY MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON1

Several studies have suggested that phytoplankton play a role in the iodine cycle. Using a short-term incubation technique for determining the uptake of iodate by phytoplankton, cultures of Thalassiosira oceanica Hasle, Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve, Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay and Mohler, and Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher were found to be capable of assimilating iodate at rates ranging from 0.003 to 0.24 nmol IO₃^?·μg chlorophyll a^?1·h^?1. The kinetics for the uptake of iodate can be modeled, and the similarity between the model and experimental results suggests that there is a steady state between iodate uptake and release of dissolved iodine from the cells, presumably in the form of iodide. Two experiments were conducted in the Sand Shoal Inlet of the Cobb Bay estuary (37°15′N, 75°50′W). The uptake of iodate was 0.26 and 0.08 nmol IO₃^?·μg chlorophyll a^?1·h^?1 during high and low tide, respectively. Using field estimates based on measured levels of iodate in the estuary, we estimate that phytoplankton can take up as much as 3% of the ambient pool of iodate on a daily basis and the entire pool in about 1 month. Thus, phytoplankton can be a significant component of the global iodine cycle by mediating changes in the speciation of iodine in the marine environment.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIATION AND ELECTROPHORETIC BANDING PATTERNS OF GENETICALLY DIFFERENT SEASONAL POPULATIONS OF SKELETONEMA COSTATUM (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Clones of Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cl. isolated from Narragansett Bay, R.I., during different seasons were grouped according to their electrophoretic banding patterns. The growth rates, pg chlorophyll · cell^?1, carbon uptake · cell^?1· h^?1, and carbon uptake · pg chl^?1· h^?1 were measured at 20°C, in a 14:10 h L:D cycle at 180 μE · m^?2· s^?1. Statistically significant sources of variation were found among groups of clones in growth rate, pg chl · cell^?1, and carbon uptake · pg chl^?1· h^?1. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between the physiological characteristics of clones isolated from populations in different seasons and patterns of genetic variation inferred from the electrophoretic studies. However, genetic diversity detected by banding patterns tends to underestimate the total genetic diversity in natural populations. The groups of clones most common in summer bloom populations had significantly higher growth rates, lower values of pg chl · cell^?1, and higher rates of carbon uptake · pg chl^?1· h^?1 at 20°C than did the group of clones most common in winter bloom populations. However, differences among groups in these parameters at 20°C alone cannot account for the seasonal cycling of genetically variable populations of Skeletonema in Narragansett Bay. The range of growth rates among clones of this species is 0.1–5.0 divisions · d^?1 under a single set of temperature and light conditions. Chlorophyll concentrations range from 0.2–1.7 pg chl · cell^?1 and carbon uptake · pg chl^?1· h^?1 varies by a factor of 7 among clones. The range of physiological variation in this species means that it is difficult to use laboratory studies of single clones to analyze the responses of natural populations of Skeletonema.     

Contrasting nitrogen uptake by diatom and Phaeocystis-dominated phytoplankton assemblages in the North Sea

This paper documents ambient concentrations of nutrients in the Belgian coastal waters of the North Sea during the spring of 1996 and 1997. The paper elaborates the differences of uptake rates of oxidised nitrogen (NO₃⁻) and reduced nitrogen (NH₄ and urea) by Phaeocystis and diatoms. The nitrogen concentrations were dominated by NO₃⁻ with a maximum concentration of 30 μM (January 1997) and 40 μM (March 1996). In 1996, Phaeocystis dominated the spring biomass with a maximum of 521 μg C l⁻¹, while maximum diatom biomass was 174 μg C l⁻¹. In 1997, the maximum Phaeocystis spring biomass was 1600 μg C l⁻¹ and diatom maximum biomass was below 100 μg C l⁻¹. A maximum bacteria biomass of about 55 μg C l⁻¹ was observed in mid-May 1996. The maximum nitrogen uptake rates were recorded during spring and were dominated by NO₃⁻ (0.005 h⁻¹ in 1996 and 0.032 h⁻¹ in 1997). Maximum specific NH₄ uptake rates were between 0.005 h⁻¹ in May 1996 and 0.006 h⁻¹ in April 1997. The NO₃⁻ uptake rates displayed exponential decrease versus increasing ambient reduced nitrogen concentrations (ammonium and urea), whereas the reduced nitrogen uptake increased but never compensated the decreased nitrate uptake. The NH₄ uptake kinetics of diatoms displayed lower v_max compared to Phaeocystis. Consequently, Phaeocystis showed ability to increase their NH₄ uptake capacity when more NH₄ became available while diatoms failed to do so, after ammonium had exceeded their saturation concentration (>1 μM). Although reduced nitrogen has a negative effect on the uptake of NO₃⁻, Phaeocystis have more advantage than diatoms on the uptake of ammonium. This might be contributing to the biomass domination shown by Phaeocystis over extended periods in spring.     

Seasonal nitrate physiology of Macrocystis integrifolia Bory

Ambient sea-water nitrate and tissue nitrogen (ethanol soluble nitrate and amino acids, as well as total nitrogen) of Macrocystis integrifolia Bory were monitored over a 2-yr period in Bamfield, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Sea-water nitrate varied from a high of 12 μmol · 1^?1 (individual values as high as 23 μmol · 1^?1 were recorded) in late winter to below detection limits for most of the summer. Tissue nitrate and total nitrogen paralleled the ambient nitrate levels and showed summer minima and winter maxima (from 0 to 70 μmol · g fresh wt^?1 for nitrate and from 0.8 to 2.9% of dry wt for total N). The nitrate uptake capacity was inversely proportional to tissue nitrate concentration and, furthermore, was much higher for subapical surface blades (60–70 nmol · cm^?2 · h^?1) than for older, deeper blades (5–10 nmol · cm^?2 · h^?1). Nitrate uptake by subapical blade disks in summer is apparently higher in dark (1.0–1.7 μmol · g fresh wt^?1 · h^?1) than in light (0.6–1.3 μmol · g fresh wt^?1 · h^?1) and the data obtained in 36–108 h experiments indicate nitrate pool sizes of 30–90 μmol · g fresh wt^?1. These pools are $\text{2}\text{3}$ to nearly full in winter. Ammonium does not inhibit nitrate uptake. It is taken up and apparently utilized much faster than nitrate and it may well be an important source of nitrogen for marine macrophytes.     

Winter limnology: a comparison of physical,chemical and biological characteristics in two temperate lakes during ice cover

The winter dynamics of several chemical, physical, and biological variables of a shallow, polymictic lake (Opinicon) are compared to those of a deep, nearby dimictic lake (Upper Rock) during ice cover (January to early April) in 1990 and 1991. Both lakes were weakly inversely thermally stratified. Dissolved oxygen concentration was at saturation (11–15 mg l⁻¹) in the top 3 m layer, but declined to near anoxic levels near the sediments. Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the deep lake were at saturation in most of the water column and approached anoxic levels near the sediments only. Nutrient concentrations in both lakes were fairly high, and similar in both lakes during ice cover. Total phosphorus concentrations generally ranged between 10–20 μg l⁻¹, NH₄-N between 16–100 μg l⁻¹, and DSi between 0.9–1.9 mg l⁻¹; these concentrations fell within summer ranges. NO₃-N concentrations were between 51–135 μg l⁻¹ during ice cover, but occurred at trace concentrations (<0.002 μg l⁻¹) during the summer. The winter phytoplankton community of both lakes was dominated by flagellates (cryptophytes, chrysophytes) and occasionally diatoms. Dinoflagellates, Cyanobacteria and green algae were poorly represented. Cryptophytes often occurred in fairly high proportions (20–80%) throughout the water column, whereas chrysophytes were more abundant just beneath the ice. Zooplankton population densities were extremely low during ice cover (compared to maximum densities measured in spring or summer) in both lakes, and were comprised largely of copepods.     

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF A FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATE BLOOM POPULATION: VERTICAL MIGRATION,NITROGEN LIMITATION,AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE KINETICS1,2

The motile freshwater dinoflagellate Gymnodinium bogoriense Klebs., which forms dense blooms in Jezre'el Valley water reservoirs (Israel) appears to be physiologically suited to exploit stratified environments, where it outcompetes all other phytoplankton types. The dense summer blooms (“red tides”) were found to be nitrogen-limited. The algae's competitive advantage, however, cannot result from superior uptake capabilities: its K_s (μmol NH₄·L^?1) for NH₄ was higher and its V_maxμmol NH₄·mg chlorophyll a^?1·h^?1) was lower than other phytoplankton types commonly occurring in the region. The competitive advantage of G. bogoriense probably stems from other physiological capabilities: dark ammonia and phosphorus assimilation and the ability to undertake diel vertical migration cycles between the upper photic water layers during the day and nutrient-rich deeper layers at night. These findings confirm the vertical nutrient retrieval hypothesis in migrating phytoplankton.     

Bimodal oxygen uptake in a freshwater air-breathing fish,Notopterus chitala

Measurements of bimodal oxygen uptake have been made in a freshwater air-breathing fish,Notopterus chitala at 29.0±1(S.D.)°C. xhe mean oxygen uptake from continuously flowing water without any access to air, was found to be 3.58±0.37 (S.E.) ml O₂ · h^?1 and 56.84+4.29 (S.E.) ml O₂ · kg^?1 · h^?1 for a fish weighing 66.92 + 11.27 (S.E.) g body weight. In still water with access to air, the mean oxygen uptake through the gills were recorded to be 2.49 ± 0.31 (S.E.) ml O₂ · h^?1 and 38.78 ± 1.92 (S.E.) ml O₂ · kg^?1 · h^?1 and through the accessory respiratory organs (swim-bladder) 6.04±0.87 (S.E.) ml O₂ · h^?1 and 92.32±2.91 (S.E.) ml O₂ · kg^?1 · h^?1 for a fish averaging 66.92±11.27 (S.E.) g. Out of the total oxygen uptake (131.10 ml O₂ · kg^?1 · h^?1), about 70% was obtained through the aerial route and the remainder 30% through the gills.     

PHOTOINHIBITION OF TEMPERATE LAKE PHYTOPLANKTON BY NEAR-SURFACE IRRADIANCE: EVIDENCE FROM VERTICAL PROFILES AND FIELD EXPERIMENTS1

To evaluate the in situ occurrence of phytoplankton photoinhibition, the light-mediated depression of chlorophyll in vivo fluorescence (IVF) and of the cellular fluorescence capacity (CFC) of phytoplankton was determined in three southeastern United States reservoirs. Vertical profiles of a fluorescence depression index (FDI) and of the CFC for reservoir phytoplankton showed that near-surface photoinhibition of fluorescence properties occurred in association with high surface irradiance and weak vertical mixing of the water column. To characterize the time scales of photochemical and photosynthetic responses to and recovery from exposure to supraoptimal light intensity, phytoplankton IVF responses and ¹⁴C-fixation rates were measured infield experiments. Phytoplankton chlorophyll IVF, CFC, and photosynthetic ¹⁴C fixation were rapidly (20–40 min) depressed when reservoir phytoplankton were exposed to surface irradiances (1700–2000 μE·m^?2·s^?1). Light-mediated increases in the FDI declined rapidly (20–40 min) to pre-exposure levels during a subsequent low-light (75–200 μE·m^?2·s^?1) period, but CFC and ¹⁴C fixation recovered more slowly (>40 min). Exposure of reservoir phytoplankton to a light-intensity gradient revealed both intensity and time thresholds for IVF and CFC depression. Phytoplankton photochemical responses to bright light operate on time scales that, in conjunction with vertical mixing, should limit the occurrence of photoinhibition to extreme irradiance environments. Our results support the hypothesis that the photoinhibition of phytoplankton productivity occurs less commonly than is indicated by fixed-depth incubation measurements.     

Statistical optimization of simple culture conditions to produce biomass of an ochratoxigenic mould biocontrol yeast strain

Aim: To maximize biomass production of an ochratoxigenic mould–controlling strain of Lachancea thermotolerans employing response surface methodology (RSM). Methods and Results: Using Plackett–Burman screening designs (PBSD) and central composite designs (CCD), an optimized culture medium containing (g l^?1): fermentable sugars (FS), 139·2, provided by sugar cane molasses (CMz), (NH₄)₂HPO₄ (DAP), 9·0, and yeast extract (YE), 2·5, was formulated. Maximal cell concentration obtained after 24 h at 28°C was 24·2 g l^?1cell dry weight (CDW). The mathematical model obtained was validated in experiments performed in shaken‐flask cultures and also in aerated bioreactors. Maximum yield and productivity values achieved were, respectively, of 0·23 g CDW/g FS in a medium containing (g l^?1): FS, 87·0; DAP, 7·0; YE, 1·0; and of 0·96 g CDW l^?1 h^?1 in a medium containing (g l^?1): FS, 150·8 plus DAP, 6·9. Conclusions: Optimized culture conditions for maximizing yeast biomass production determined in flask cultures were applicable at a larger scale. The highest yield values were attained in media containing relatively low‐CMz concentrations supplemented with DAP and YE. Yeast extract would not be necessary if higher productivity is the aim. Significance and Impact of the Study: Cells of L. thermotolerans produced aerobically could be sustainably produced in a medium just containing cheap carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus sources. Response surface methodology allowed the fine‐tuning of cultural conditions.     

Pelagic nitrification and denitrification rates in an Arctic fjord during early spring

This study addresses factors governing nitrification and denitrification rates, along with the abundance of the bacterial groups likely involved in these activities, in Kongsfjorden, an Arctic fjord at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The fjord was sampled three times during the month of March 2008 as day length and direct solar radiation increased. Although initially well mixed, cooler and more saline, the fjord became stratified, warmer and less saline during late March. The concentrations of NH₄ ⁺ (4.4?±?1.6 to 6?±?1.6 μM) and NO₂ ^? (1?±?0.3 to 1.2?±?0.4 μM) increased progressively with the decrease in NO₃ ^? (6.1?±?1.3 to 3.8?±?1.5 μM), reflecting the onset of primary productivity. Nitrification rates and the culturable population of nitrifiers decreased significantly from 1.6?±?0.9 to 0.4?±?0.1 ng at NH₄ ⁺-N l^?1 h^?1 and 5.1?±?0.3?×?10² to 29?±?14 cells l^?1, respectively. In contrast, denitrification rates increased (2.4?±?0.5 to 4.6?±?1.3 ng-at NO₃ ^?-N l^?1 h^?1), although the abundance of culturable denitrifiers did not vary significantly. A significant correlation of nitrifiers with NO₃ ^? during early March (p?<?0.01, r?=?0.51) indicated that nitrifiers may play an important role in regulating the NO₃ ^? pool and thereby in controlling the abundance of denitrifiers. However, the contribution of nitrification to the total NO₃ ^? pool decreased with time. Experimental simulations were also set up to understand the impact of change in duration of light and progressive increase in temperature on these processes. The application of 24 h light inhibited nitrification, suggesting that during peak Arctic summer the contribution of nitrification to the nitrate pool is minimal. It was also observed that a brief exposure to light (≤6 h) was enough to hamper nitrification rates. Experimental simulations suggested that a gradual increase in temperature in the fjord may enhance the magnitude of nitrification and denitrification in the fjord.     

Growth of Salvinia molesta as affected by water temperature and nutrition I. Effects of nitrogen level and nitrogen compounds

The growth of Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell was studied in a greenhouse using controlled-temperature water-baths at 16, 19 and 22°C and 4 different nitrogen compounds (NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, NH₄NO₃ and urea) at levels up to 60 mg N l^?1. Little growth occurred at 16°C even if 20 mg N l^?1 was supplied together with other nutrients including phosphorus (2 mg H₂PO₄-P l^?1). The highest relative growth rate and total dry matter production occurred at 22°C when plants were supplied with 20 mg NH₄-N l^?1. At this temperature, the NH₄⁺ ion was superior to the NO₃^? ion or urea as a nitrogen source (almost doubling the biomass), but was not significantly better than NH₄NO₃. Over a period of 19 days for plants receiving 0.02 mg NH₄-N l^?, biomass increased 4-fold at 16°C, 9-fold at 19°C and 10-fold at 22°C. In contrast, for plants receiving 20 mg NH₄-N l^?1, biomass increased 4-fold at 16°C, 18-fold at 19°C and 38-fold at 22°C.     

CARBON ALLOCATION IN MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYTA): INTRINSIC VARIABILITY IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION1

Measurements of net photosynthesis (PS, O₂ evolution), dark respiration (R, O₂ consumption), and light and dark carbon fixation (¹⁴C) were conducted on whole blades, isolated blade discs, sporophylls, apical scimitars and representative portions of stipe and holdfast of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera L.C. Ag. On a dry weight basis, highest net PS rates were observed in apical scimitar segments and whole blades (3.81 and 3.07 mgC · g dry wt^?1· h^?1, respectively), followed by sporophylls (1.42 mgC·g dry wt^?1· h^?1) and stipe segments (0.15 mgC·g dry wt^?1· h^?1). No PS capacity was observed in holdfast material. Respiration rates showed similar ranking ranging from 1.22 mgC·g dry wt^?1·h^?1 for apical scimitar to 0.18–0.22 mgC·g dry wt^?1· h^?1 for holdfast material. Considerable within blade variability in both PS and R was also found. Steepest PS and R gradients on both an areal and weight basis were found within immature blades followed by senescent and mature blade material. Highest net PS rates were associated with the blade tips ranging from 3.08 (mature blades) to 10.3 mgC·dry wt^?1·h^?1 (immature blades). Highest rates of R generally occurred towards the basal portions of blades and ranged from 1.03–1.80 mgC·g dry wt^?1·h^?1 for immature blades. The variability within and between blades was high, with coefficients of variation approaching 50%. The observed patterns can be related to the decreasing proportionment of photosynthetic tissue and increasing proportionment of structural tissue as occurs from the blade tip to the blade base. Rates of light carbon fixation (LCF) revealed longitudinal profiles similar to oxygen measurements for the different blade types, with the absolute rates being slightly lower. Patterns of dark carbon fixation (DCF) were less easily interpreted. Highest rates of DCF (0.04–0.06 mgC·g dry wt^?1·h^?1) occurred at the basal portions of immature and senescent blades. Longitudinal profiles of total chlorophyll (a + c) on both an areal and weight basis were very similar to the profiles of PS. Normalized to chlorophyll a, PS displayed an unusual longitudinal profile in immature tissue; however, such profiles for mature and senescent tissues were similar to those for PS on an areal basis. It was demonstrated that it is difficult, if not impossible, to select single tissue discs that are representative of whole blades. The metabolic longitudinal profiles reveal a characteristic developmental pattern; the previous working definitions of immature, mature, and senescent blades, based on morphology and frond position thus have a physiological basis.     

Composition and Productivity of the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community of a Subtropical Reservoir

Physical-chemical conditions, phytoplankton productivity, community structure and productivity of the macroinvertebrate benthic community were determined during 1976–77 in a subtropical reservoir. Physical-chemical results revealed high nitrate and phosphate concentrations with highest values in the riverine segment. Large phytoplankton populations were present during most of the year. Phytoplankton productivity was high, producing an annual mean of 87 mg C · m⁻³ · h⁻¹ (12 hours light day). High turbidity in the riverine segment limited phytoplankton productivity during winter and spring. Macrobenthos was dominated by chironomids (Chironomus, Procladius, Coelotanypus and Tanypus) and oligochaetes (Limnodrilus). The annual mean benthic population was estimated at 1,626 · m⁻² with a mean dry weight of 0.66 g · m⁻². Mean benthic species diversity was 1.80. A lacustrine-riverine community gradient was revealed. Benthic productivity was 6.8 g · m⁻² · yr⁻¹ (dry weight) with a P: B ratio of 10. A low correlation was observed between benthic and phytoplankton productivity, and between phytoplankton standing crop and benthic macroinvertebrate numbers throughout the reservoir. Algal food supplies had little impact on the benthic community which was composed predominately of species which fed mostly on organic detritus. Stressful conditions caused by low dissolved oxygen concentrations probably inhibited development of the benthic community throughout the reservoir during summer months, while high sedimentation rates limited development in the head waters.     

A CARBON BUDGET FOR THE AUTOTROPHIC CILIATE MESODINIUM RUBRUM1

Extensive blooms of the autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum (Lohmann) occurred in the Peru coastal upwelling region at 15°S latitude in March through May 1977 and contributed significantly to the organic productivity of the region. From observations made during the JOINT-II oceanographic expedition, a budget of the carbon flux of these unusual photosynthetic organisms can be constructed. The light dependent C fixation was determined with short (1 h) incubations because of the organisms' sensitivity to confinement and rapid nutrient exhaustion. Maximum photosynthesis occurred at 50% of incident light with a maximum rate of particulate C synthesis of 2187 mg C · m^?3· h^?1. The specific carbon uptake rates were also high with a maximum light saturated value of 16.8 mg C ·(mg chl a)^?1· h^?1. The rate of excretion of dissolved organic C at the productivity maximum ranged from 16.1 to 181.1 mg C · m^?3· h^?1. The range of percent excretion was 1.8–12.5% the total C fixed, similar to the range found in both motile and nonmotile phytoplankton assemblages. Respiration, determined by the decrease in particulate C in the dark, averaged 4.6% of the previously fixed photosynthetic C · h^?1. M. rubrum actively took up amino acids and naturally occurring dissolved organic carbon. The C budget for this ciliate indicates that the daily contribution to the particulate food chain is large, although not as great as is indicated by short incubations. The contribution of M. rubrum to the productivity and elemental fluxes of upwelling and coastal ecosystems has been seriously underestimated.     

Light-limited growth of two strains of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin: Chemical composition,carbon partitioning and the diel periodicity of physiological processes

Two isolates of the marine pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin were grown in semi-continuous, nutrient-sufficient culture at varying irradiances on a 12-h light, 12-h dark illumination cycle. The reponse of the isolates to varying degrees of light limitation differed with respect to all of the compositional parameters measured, including growth rates, elemental composition, chlorophyll content, and the partitioning of cellular carbon into four biochemical classes: proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and low-molecular weight intermediates. The isolates also differed with respect to the relative contributions of light-period and dark-period uptake to the total uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, although in all cases uptake took place at a reduced rate in the dark. They did not differ with respect to the diel periodicity of cell division, chlorophyll synthesis, and biochemical synthesis. Slightly more cell division took place during the dark period than during the light period. The specific rate of chlorophyll synthesis in the light period, when expressed as a function of irradiance, saturated rapidly; the rate was nearly constant for all irradiances > 100 βE · m^?2 · s^?1. Chlorophyll synthesis in the dark was positively correlated with irradiance over the entire range of irradiances, except where photoinhibition was involved. Protein was synthesized in both the light and dark periods, but at a reduced rate in the dark. Polysaccharides were synthesized during the light period and consumed during the dark period. Lipids and low molecular weight intermediates were synthesized during the light period, but showed little net change during the dark period.     

Bacterial utilization of algal extracellular products in a southwestern reservoir

Rates of carbon flow from phytoplankton to bacteria were estimated for Lake Arlington, Texas. The lake is a warm (annual temperature range 7 to 35 °C), shallow, monomictic reservoir with limited macrophyte development in the littoral zone. Samples were collected from 6 depths within the photic zone from a site located over the deepest portion of the lake. Primary production and exudate production were calculated from NaH¹⁴CO₃ incorporation. Bacterial production was calculated from [methyl-³H]-thymidine incorporation. Depth averaged primary production ranged from a seasonal low of 9.0 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹ in January to a seasonal maximum of 153 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹ during holomixis in September. Annual depth-averaged production was 67.8 ± 7.3 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹. Exudate production ranged between 21.9 and 54.2% of primary production and annually averaged 30.8%. Bacterial production ranged between 1.7 and 46.0 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹ and annually averaged 16.0 ± 1.9 μg C l⁻¹ h⁻¹. Bacteria processed approximately 70% of exudate and incorporated 35% into biomass. Bacterial production was positively correlated with total primary production (r = 0.38, p < 0.003, n = 6), particulate primary production (r = 0.34, p < 0.004, n = 70) and bacterial uptake of exudate (r = 0.43, p < 0.001, n = 68). While exudate was readily utilized by bacteria it dit not appear to be produced in sufficient quantity or at a sufficient rate to serve as the sole or a major source of carbon supporting bacterial growth.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN CLADOPHORA (CHLOROPHYTA) IN THE CLARK FORK OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER,MONTANA1

Cellular nutrient concentrations and nutrient uptake rates of Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kuetzing were determined during summer and fall in 1989–1990 at a site on the upper Clark Fork of the Columbia River, Montana. Both physiological tests indicated that Cladophora growth is likely to be limited by nitrogen during late summer-early fall. Maximum uptake rates of ammonia-N and nitrate-N were 5935–6991 and 507–984 μg · g DW^?1· h^?1, respectively, during July–October when dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations in the river were less than 10 μg · L^?1. During November-December, when DIN was 72–376 μg · L^?1, maximum ammonia-N uptake was 1137–1633 μg · g DW^?1· h^?1 and maximum nitrate-N uptake was 0–196 μg · g DW^?1· h^?1. Cellular nitrogen during summer–early fall was 0.78–1.80% of Cladophora dry weight, frequently at or below 1.1%, a level suggested as a critical minimum N concentration for maximum growth. In contrast, cellular P was 0.18–0.36% of dry weight, 3–6 times the suggested critical P concentration of 0.06%. Molar ratios of cellular N:P (< 16:1) and DIN: SRP (< 4:1) during late summer-early fall also indicated potential N limitation. Cellular N and P from Cladophora collected from a second site influenced by a municipal wastewater discharge in 1990 displayed similar seasonal trends. At both sites, seasonal fluctuations in DIN were closely tracked by changes in cellular N, Cellular P, however, increased through the growing season despite declining levels of SRP in the river.     

Seasonal variation in light utilisation,biomass production and nutrient removal by wastewater microalgae in a full-scale high-rate algal pond

There has been renewed interest in the combined use of high-rate algal ponds (HRAP) for wastewater treatment and biofuel production. Successful wastewater treatment requires year-round efficient nutrient removal while high microalgal biomass yields are required to make biofuel production cost-effective. This paper investigates the year-round performance of microalgae in a 5-ha demonstration HRAP system treating primary settled wastewater in Christchurch, New Zealand. Microalgal performance was measured in terms of biomass production, nutrient removal efficiency, light absorption and photosynthetic potential on seasonal timescales. Retention time-corrected microalgal biomass (chlorophyll a) varied seasonally, being lowest in autumn and winter (287 and 364 mg m^?3day^?1, respectively) and highest in summer (703 mg m^?3day^?1), while the conversion efficiency of light to biomass was greatest in winter (0.39 mg Chl- a per μmol) and lowest in early summer (0.08 mg Chl- a per μmol). The percentage of ammonium (NH₄–N) removed was highest in spring (79 %) and summer (77 %) and lowest in autumn (47 %) and winter (53 %), while the efficiency of NH₄–N removal per unit biomass was highest in autumn and summer and lowest in winter and spring. Chlorophyll-specific light absorption per unit biomass decreased as total chlorophyll increased, partially due to the package effect, particularly in summer. The proportional increase in the maximum electron transport rate from winter to summer was significantly lower than the proportional increase in the mean light intensity of the water column. We concluded that microalgal growth and nutrient assimilation was constrained in spring and summer and carbon limitation may be the likely cause.