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AN ALTERNATE GROWTH PATTERN FOR LAMINARIA LONGICRURIS 1, 2
Author(s) -
Anderson M. Robin,
Cardinal André,
Larochelle Jacques
Publication year - 1981
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.1529-8817.1981.tb00869.x
Subject(s) - alginic acid , kelp , biology , laminaria , nitrate , dry weight , seawater , algae , botany , nutrient , population , zoology , nitrogen , ecology , chemistry , demography , organic chemistry , sociology
A population of Laminaria longicruris de la Pylaie was followed for a year at Bic Island, Quebec, Canada where nutrient levels in the seawater were elevated throughout the year. Tagged kelp were measured each month for growth and analyzed for alginic acid, laminaran, mannitol, carbon, nitrogen, and nitrate. Maximum growth (3.5 cm · d −1 ) was observed in June, and minimal growth (0.18 cm · d −1 ) from December to February, when ice cover limited light levels. No reserves of carbon or nitrate were formed. Laminaran levels remained below 2.7% dry weight while tissue nitrate did not exceed 0.75 μmol · g −1 dry weight. Total carbon produced per plant was 40 g C · yr −1 . Nutrient availability enables the kelp to take advantage of summer light and temperature conditions to grow rapidly.