Premium
Evaluation of phosphorus deficiency indicators for summer phytoplankton in Lake Erken
Author(s) -
Istánovics Vera,
Pettersson Kurt,
Pierson Don,
Duarte Russell
Publication year - 1992
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.1992.37.4.0890
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , nutrient , phosphorus , phosphate , algae , phosphorus deficiency , photosynthesis , environmental chemistry , zoology , chemistry , alkaline phosphatase , chlorophyll a , biology , ecology , biochemistry , enzyme , organic chemistry
Short‐term changes in nutrient status of summer phytoplankton were studied in Lake Erken in 1988. The P deficiency index (PDI), which is defined as the rate of light‐saturated photosynthesis ( P opt ) divided by the maximum phosphate uptake velocity ( V max ), was a superior indicator of P deficiency, despite the fact that dramatic shifts in nutrient status did not occur during the study period. Indicators containing physiological rates (orthophosphate turnover time, TT; Chl‐specific total alkaline phosphatase activity, TAPA B ; and Chl‐specific maximal phosphate uptake velocity, V b max ) were also sensitive enough to show changes in the P status of algae. In contrast, indicators based on the chemical composition of the particulate matter (PN: PP, Chl‐specific surplus P content, SP b ) failed to show short‐term variations in algal nutritional status. Correlations were found between PDI and TAPA B , PDI and TT, as well as PDI and turnover time of surplus P(T SP ). PDI ranges previously suggested to indicate different degrees of algal P deficiency were found to describe P deficiency adequately in Lake Erken.