Nutrient Requirement and Growth of a Synechococcus Species Isolated from Lake Balaton

A pico sized Synechococcus species isolated from Lake Balaton was studied in batch and continuous cultures. This picocyanobacterium had a pH optimum at 8.5 and a temperature optimum at 28‐30°C. The I k value for growth was 52 μEinstein m −2 S −1 , the maximum growth rate 2.27 d −1 , the half saturation Constant of growth 1.2 μg PO 4 ‐P I −1 and the minimal cell quota 1.74 nig P g dry weight −1 . The dry weight of cells showed a minimum, the chlorophyll‐a/biomass ratio a maximum as a function of growth rate. Above the quota of 3.4 fg P Cell −1 significant amounts of non‐reactive dissolved Phosphorous were released.