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Estimating the contribution of organic bases from microalgae to the titration alkalinity in coastal seawaters
Author(s) -
Martín HernándezAyon J.,
Zirino Alberto,
Dickson A. G.,
CamiroVargas Tania,
ValenzuelaEspinoza E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography: methods
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.898
H-Index - 72
ISSN - 1541-5856
DOI - 10.4319/lom.2007.5.225
Subject(s) - alkalinity , bay , environmental chemistry , titration , total organic carbon , seawater , isochrysis galbana , chemistry , environmental science , oceanography , algae , ecology , inorganic chemistry , biology , geology , organic chemistry
This study reports the potential contribution of organic bases to the alkalinity of seawater samples. The concentration of organic bases in these samples was inferred from the difference between the measured alkalinity and that calculated from a knowledge of pH and concentrations of the various inorganic acid‐bases species such as total carbon, total boron, and so on. Significant concentrations of such organic bases were measured in cultures of the marine microalgae Rhodomonas sp. (800 µmol kg −1 ) and Isochrysis aff. Galbana (400 µmol kg −1 ), as well as in three marine environments (northern gulf of California, México; San Quintín Bay, B.C., Mexico; and San Diego Bay). These three sites are characterized by significant biological activity and restricted mixing, and the organic bases were found at concentrations greater than 50 µmol kg −1 in each of these three locations.