Phytoplankton photosynthesis and carbon-specific growth: light-saturated rates in a nutrient-rich environment
Light-saturated photosynthesis from short term (2 h) and daily (24 h) measurements were correlated in phytoplankton of two size fractions, net plankton dominated by diatoms and nanoplankton dominated by chlorophytes. Diurnal variations in short term photosynthesis were characterized by a midday maximum and tended to be a greater amplitude in net plankton than in nanoplankton populations. Nanoplankton photosynthesis varied on a seasonal scale while net plankton photosynthesis varied on a daily scale-a phenomenon which appeared to be reflected in the relationship between short term photosynthesis and growth. The latter, calculated from daily photosynthesis, increased exponentially with temperature and was more closely coupled to short term photosynthesis in nanoplankton than in net plankton populations. These differences seem to be related to the way in which the two size fractions are distributed in time and space as a consequence of interactions between physical process and time-dependent growth.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6880068
- Journal Information:
- Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 27:2; ISSN LIOCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Production and fate of phytoplankton size fractions in the plume of the Hudson River, New York Bight
Growth rates, grazing, sinking, and iron limitation of equatorial Pacific phytoplankton
Related Subjects
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550501* -- Metabolism-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOMASS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DAILY VARIATIONS
DIATOMS
ENERGY SOURCES
GROWTH
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NUTRIENTS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
VARIATIONS