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EFFECT OF CYSTEINE AND METHIONINE ON SULFATE UPTAKE AND PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY BY AXENIC ALGAL CULTURES AND LAKE MICROPLANKTON COMMUNITIES 1
Author(s) -
Monheimer Richard H.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1979.00284.x
Subject(s) - biology , algae , axenic , methionine , productivity , anabaena , sulfur , sulfate , botany , chlorophyta , environmental chemistry , cyanobacteria , biochemistry , bacteria , chemistry , amino acid , genetics , macroeconomics , organic chemistry , economics
The presence of up to 500 μg sulfur·l −1 of an equimolar mixture of cysteine and methionine had virtually no effect on the SO 4 2‐ uptake rate of Navicula pelliculosa, (Bréb.) Hilse whereas the rate of Ankistrodesmus falcatus (Corda) Ralfs was decreased by the presence of 500 μg S· l −1 and Anabaena flos‐aquae (Lyngbye) Bréb. by 50 μg S·l −1 . Primary productivity in these axenic cultures was affected (decreased) only in A. falcatus. The C:S uptake ratio was lowest in N. pelliculosa and highest in A. falcatus. Considering these species as representative of groups of naturally occurring algae, patterns of SO 4 2‐ uptake and primary productivity in a eutrophic and a moderately oligotrophic lake reflected the results of the algal culturing experiments: SO 4 2‐ uptake rates, relative to primary productivity, were higher in the presence of diatoms and bluegreen algae and lower when green algae were present; the addition of the cysteine I methionine mixture to the lake waters decreased the rate of microplankton SO 4 2‐ uptake in correlation with the makeup of the algal community; primary productivity decreased upon the addition of cysteine I methionine when green algae were relatively abundant. It is concluded that, in most fresh water systems, the effects of organic sulfur pollution on algal SO 4 2‐ uptake and primary productivity are insignificant as compared to other ecological changes that occur due to that pollution.