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ATP as an Index of Phytoplankton Productivity. The Chl a/ATP Quotient
Author(s) -
Nωges Tiina
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
internationale revue der gesamten hydrobiologie und hydrographie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 0020-9309
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.19890740202
Subject(s) - eutrophication , phytoplankton , chlorophyll a , water column , oceanography , environmental science , bloom , diatom , productivity , chlorophyll , biology , hydrology (agriculture) , chemistry , ecology , nutrient , botany , geology , geotechnical engineering , macroeconomics , economics
The seasonal changes in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and chlorophyll a (Chi a ) concentrations in two eutrophic lakes (Lake Peipus, Lake Vōrtsjärv; Estonia) were studied in the course of two years. Comparative measurements were performed in the Baltic Sea. The main task was to examine how the ATP content of the water characterizes the functional state of the phytoplankton community. Primary production, total phosphorus and total nitrogen were measured as supplementary parameters. The under‐ice bloom in Lake Vōrtsjärv was also observed. The under‐ice bloom, consisting mainly of the diatom Melosira islandica spp. helvetica , started at the bottom of the water body and spread over the whole water column in a few days. The ATP content correlated well with changes in the chl a concentration of the bottom water, but in the uppermost regions of the water column no correlation was found. Obviously most of the cells had died before reaching the surface layers. Seasonal observations showed an accumulation of “dead” chlorophyll in autumn. The Chi a /ATP ratio increased in the following order: sea—eutrophic lake—hypereutrophic lake. The values of the index increased exponentially as the phytoplankton standing stock increased.