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THE REQUIREMENT OF AQUATIC BRYOPHYTES FOR FREE CO 2 AS AN INORGANIC CARBON SOURCE: SOME EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
Author(s) -
BAIN JANET T.,
PROCTOR M. C. F.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1980.tb01680.x
Subject(s) - bryophyte , bicarbonate , photosynthesis , total inorganic carbon , environmental chemistry , botany , biology , carbon dioxide , ecology , chemistry , endocrinology
S ummary Twenty bryophyte species were tested for photosynthetic uptake of bicarbonate by immersing plants in 2.0 mM and 0.2 mM NaHCO 3 and monitoring rise in pH. Equilibrium values were clustered around pH 9.0 and pH 8.0 in the two solutions, indicating limitation by free CO 2 and inability to use bicarbonate. Anthoceros husnotii reached a maximum pH value of 9.5 in 2.0 mM NaHCO 3 , suggesting possible, although inefficient, bicarbonate uptake. Four species of bicarbonate‐using plants tested for comparison gave final pH values in the range of 10.1 to 10.9. Field measurements gave results consistent with the laboratory experiments. Availability of CO 2 to bryophytes growing in different aquatic habitats is discussed and their ecology is considered in light of the results.