Heterotrophic potential estimates: an inherent paradox in assuming Michaelis-Menten kinetics

Phytoplankton uptake of radioisotope at high substrate concentrations, although frequently invoked to explain the experimental results obtained in heterotrophic potential estimates, can be shown to arise from 2 common mistakes in experimental technique. Experimental results which purportedly support...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 1984-01, Vol.17 (1), p.49-56
Main Authors: Smith, D. F., Wiebe, W. J., Higgins, H. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Data lines
Error rates
Estimation methods
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Kinetics
Marine
Microbial ecology
Phytoplankton
Radioactive decay
Radionuclides
RESEARCH PAPERS
Sea water
Velocity
Water samples
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Summary:Phytoplankton uptake of radioisotope at high substrate concentrations, although frequently invoked to explain the experimental results obtained in heterotrophic potential estimates, can be shown to arise from 2 common mistakes in experimental technique. Experimental results which purportedly support the view of phytoplankton uptake of substrate are invariably obtained if one employs very high specific activity ³H-labelled compounds without purification immediately before use. Identical results ensue if the net cpm of the samples are obtained by subtracting background cpm or the cpm of either 'zero-time' or 'killed' controls, if these have not been counted to the same number of gross counts as the samples themselves.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps017049