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Nutrient limitation of bacterioplankton and phytoplankton in humic lakes in northern Sweden
Author(s) -
Jansson Mats,
Bergström AnnKristin,
Drakare Stina,
Blomqvist Peter
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.2001.00703.x
Subject(s) - bacterioplankton , phytoplankton , nutrient , dissolved organic carbon , environmental chemistry , phosphorus , plankton , environmental science , human fertilization , ecology , chemistry , biology , agronomy , organic chemistry
1. Two small humic lakes in northern Sweden with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) between 15 and 20 mg L –1 were fertilized with inorganic phosphorus (P) and inorganic nitrogen (N), respectively. A third lake was unfertilized and served as a control. In addition to this lake fertilization experiment, data from different regional surveys were used to assess the role of different limiting factors. 2. The P fertilization had no effects on bacterioplankton or phytoplankton, while phytoplankton were significantly stimulated by N fertilization. Inorganic nutrient limitation of bacterioplankton was a function of DOC concentration in water of the investigated region and nutrient‐limited bacteria were found only in lakes with DOC concentrations less than around 15 mg L –1 3. The fertilization experiments demonstrated that the DOC‐rich experimental lakes contained a bioavailable pool of P that was not utilized to its full potential under natural conditions. The overall mobilization of energy (bacterioplankton plus phytoplankton) in the experimental lakes was restricted by lack of inorganic N.