Characteristics of ammonium and nitrate uptake by phytoplankton in Lake Kinneret

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1984.29.2.0287· OSTI ID:6896204

Berman, T; Sherr, B F; Sherr, E; Wynne, D; McCarthy, J J

Seasonal and diurnal patterns of NH/sub 4//sup +/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ uptake were determined for Lake Kinneret phytoplankton. Nanoplankton generally, but not always, had a higher uptake of NH/sub 4//sup +/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ than did net plankton. Ammonium was always taken up preferentially and the phytoplankton had lower apparent affinity constants (K/sub s/) for this ion than for NO/sub 3//sup -/. However, during the annual dinoflagellate bloom of Peridinium (February-May), when ambient levels of NH/sub 4//sup +/ were low and those of NO/sub 3//sup -/ were high, a considerable portion of the total N flux was derived from NO/sub 3//sup -/. The finding that NO/sub 3//sup -/ was utilized by the dinoflagellates implies that control of the amounts of this nutrient, which is predominantly supplied from watershed sources, could be important in limiting eutrophication in Lake Kinneret.

• Research Organization: Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Ltd., Tiberias
• OSTI ID: 6896204
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 29:2; ISSN LIOCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ASIA
DAILY VARIATIONS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DINOFLAGELLATE
EUTROPHICATION
INVERTEBRATES
ISRAEL
LAKES
MASTIGOPHORA
MICROORGANISMS
MIDDLE EAST
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
PROTOZOA
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
UPTAKE
VARIATIONS