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Diel nucleic acid synthesis and particulate DNA concentrations: Conflicts with division rate estimates by DNA accumulation 1
Author(s) -
Winn C.D.,
Karl D.M.
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.1986.31.3.0637
Subject(s) - diel vertical migration , nucleic acid , particulates , dna synthesis , dna , phytoplankton , environmental chemistry , biology , chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , nutrient
The diel rate of microbial nucleic acid synthesis and the concentration of particulate DNA were measured at various locations in the oligotrophic Pacific Ocean. Net synthesis of RNA and DNA was observed over 24‐h periods at all locations investigated, but the actual rate sometimes varied with time of day. It is concluded that whenever possible, daily rates of synthesis should be determined from a series of consecutive incubations conducted over a complete 24‐h period. In addition, nonreplicating DNA comprised 75–90% of the total particulate DNA at the locations investigated. These results appear to preclude the use of light‐dependent DNA accumulation as a measure of phytoplankton growth rate in the oligotrophic oceans.