A microcosm study of nitrogen utilization in the Great Salt Lake,Utah

Microcosms were used to study the effects of two inorganic nitrogen sources (ammonia and nitrate) and two organic nitrogen sources (urea and glutamic acid) on the growth of algae and bacteria found in the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Ammonia, nitrate and urea stimulated bacterial growth indirectly through increased algal production of unknown organic substances. Glutamic acid, representing readily available organic carbon and nitrogen, stimulated the bacteria directly. No nitrification was observed in the microcosms although nitrite was found when the microcosms were supplemented with nitrate. Lake sediment contained a number of anaerobic bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide, methane and other gases. Production of these gases was stimulated in the columns with high algal and bacterial activity.