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Dependence of the rate of release of phosphorus by zooplankton on the P: C ratio in the food supply, as calculated by a recycling model 1
Author(s) -
Olsen Yngvar,
Jensen Arne,
Reinertsen Helge,
BØrsheim Knut Yngve,
Heldal Mikal,
Langeland Arnfinn
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1986.31.1.0034
Subject(s) - detritus , phosphorus , zooplankton , daphnia , algae , biology , environmental chemistry , zoology , branchiopoda , clearance rate , daphnia pulex , nutrient , cladocera , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , endocrinology
In two enclosure experiments, Daphnia pulex ingested cryptophytes, bacteria, and probably detritus particles. The specific clearance rate of the zooplankton increased when the concentration of food decreased. The P : C ratio of the food also increased. More than 92% of the particulate phosphorus was located in the living cells (algae and bacteria); the detritus was practically phosphorus‐free. The specific release rate of phosphorus estimated for the daphnids by use of the recycling model increased as the P : C ratio of the food increased and became zero at a critical low P : C ratio, Q , of 6–8 µ g P mg −1 C. At this concentration, all the ingested phosphorus is needed for growth and reproduction, and no release of the element can be expected. This indicates that Daphnia may experience P limitation in nature, since the P : C ratio of P‐starved algae and detritus may be considerably <6–8 µ g P mg −1 C. The use of mass balance also appears to be suitable for modeling phosphorus and carbon fluxes through zooplankton in pelagic ecosystems.