Algal biomass and primary production within a temperate zone sandstone
- Arizona State Univ., Tempe (USA)
The use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to extract chlorophyll a and {sup 14}C-labelled photosynthate from endolithic algae of sparsely vegetated, cold temperate grasslands on the Colorado Plateau in Arizona has yielded the first estimates of biomass and photosynthesis for this unusual community. These subsurface microorganisms are found widespread in exposed Coconino Sandstone, a predominant formation in this cold temperate region. The endolithic community in Coconino Sandstone, composed primarily of coccoid blue-green and coccoid/sarcinoid green algae, yielded a biomass value (as chlorophyll a content) of 87 mg m{sup {minus}2} rock surface area and a photosynthetic rate of 0.37 mg CO{sub 2} dm{sup {minus}2} hr{sup {minus}1} or 0.48 mg CO{sub 2} mg{sup {minus}1} chl a hr{sup {minus}1}. The endolithic algal community contributes moderate biomass (5-10%) and substantial photosynthesis (20-80%) to the sparse grassland ecosystem.
- OSTI ID:
- 5771995
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Botany; (USA), Vol. 74:2; ISSN 0002-9122
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
09 BIOMASS FUELS
ALGAE
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
CHLOROPHYLL
ARIZONA
BIOMASS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
COLORADO
DMSO
RANGELANDS
SANDSTONES
TEMPERATE ZONES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXTRACTION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION VIII
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFOXIDES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
550201 - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques
090800 - Biomass Fuels- Production- (1990-)