Differential response of phytoplankton to additions of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron in Lake Tanganyika

1. In order to evaluate limitation of different phytoplankton groups by inorganic nutrients, multiple nutrient enrichment bioassays using the addition of iron (Fe) and the combined addition of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) were carried out in the north and the south of Lake Tanganyika during the rain...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Freshwater biology 2008-02, Vol.53 (2), p.264-277
Main Authors: WEVER, AAIKE DE, MUYLAERT, KOENRAAD, LANGLET, DENIS, ALLEMAN, LAURENT, DESCY, JEAN-PIERRE, ANDRÉ, LUC, COCQUYT, CHRISTINE, VYVERMAN, WIM
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Bacillariophyceae
Biological and medical sciences
Fresh water ecosystems
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
iron
Lake Tanganyika
nutrient limitation
phytoplankton
picocyanobacteria
Sciences of the Universe
Synecology
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Summary:1. In order to evaluate limitation of different phytoplankton groups by inorganic nutrients, multiple nutrient enrichment bioassays using the addition of iron (Fe) and the combined addition of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) were carried out in the north and the south of Lake Tanganyika during the rainy and dry seasons in 2003 and 2004. 2. Nutrient additions resulted in an increase in phytoplankton growth rate relative to control treatments in all experiments. HPLC pigment data and epifluorescence microscopy counts indicated differential stimulation of the dominant phytoplankton groups. Iron additions mainly stimulated prokaryotic picophytoplankton, while enrichments with nitrogen and phosphorus stimulated green algae and in some cases diatoms. Extended incubation (3 days) indicated co-limitation of Fe and NP, in particular for picocyanobacteria.
ISSN:0046-5070
1365-2427
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2007.01890.x