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An inter-basin comparison of nutrient limitation and the irradiance response of pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence in Lake Erie phytoplankton

An inter-basin comparison of nutrient limitation and the irradiance response of pulse-amplitude... This research examined the application of the maximum quantum efficiency (F v/F m) and relative electron transport rate versus irradiance curves (rETR) as a rapid, sensitive assessment of Lake Erie phytoplankton nutrient status. I evaluated the potential benefits of the variable fluorescence parameters by comparing these parameters with chemical and physiological nutrient status assays. I tested the hypothesis that F v/F m and rETR curves could diagnose nutrient status in natural lake phytoplankton and be capable of discriminating which inorganic nutrient is limited temporally and spatially. F v/F m was on average highest in the more eutrophic west basin (WB) and lowest in the more oligotrophic central basin (CB). According to the chemical and physiological indicators, P deficiency was most severe in the CB during summer stratification and N deficiency was strongest in the WB during isothermal conditions. Like F v/F m, rETR at light saturation (rETRmax) and the initial slope of the rETR versus irradiance curve (α) decreased as the severity of N and P deficiency increased. Amendment with N or P stimulated increased F v/F m, rETRmax, and α in N- and P-limited samples, respectively, and abolished the photoinhibition apparent in rETR curves of nutrient-limited samples. These results supported the view that the N and P deficiency assays, and corresponding variations of variable fluorescence parameters, were valid indicators of widely variable N and P deficiency in the phytoplankton, and could be used to provide a promising tool in determining phytoplankton nutrient status. Contrary to my hopes, it did not appear that rETR–irradiance curves could discriminate between N and P deficiency. Identification of the most limiting nutrient still demanded additional information beyond the variable fluorescence measurements. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

An inter-basin comparison of nutrient limitation and the irradiance response of pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence in Lake Erie phytoplankton

Aquatic Ecology , Volume 48 (1) – Feb 4, 2014

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References (63)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 by Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
Subject
Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Ecosystems
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/s10452-014-9470-7
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This research examined the application of the maximum quantum efficiency (F v/F m) and relative electron transport rate versus irradiance curves (rETR) as a rapid, sensitive assessment of Lake Erie phytoplankton nutrient status. I evaluated the potential benefits of the variable fluorescence parameters by comparing these parameters with chemical and physiological nutrient status assays. I tested the hypothesis that F v/F m and rETR curves could diagnose nutrient status in natural lake phytoplankton and be capable of discriminating which inorganic nutrient is limited temporally and spatially. F v/F m was on average highest in the more eutrophic west basin (WB) and lowest in the more oligotrophic central basin (CB). According to the chemical and physiological indicators, P deficiency was most severe in the CB during summer stratification and N deficiency was strongest in the WB during isothermal conditions. Like F v/F m, rETR at light saturation (rETRmax) and the initial slope of the rETR versus irradiance curve (α) decreased as the severity of N and P deficiency increased. Amendment with N or P stimulated increased F v/F m, rETRmax, and α in N- and P-limited samples, respectively, and abolished the photoinhibition apparent in rETR curves of nutrient-limited samples. These results supported the view that the N and P deficiency assays, and corresponding variations of variable fluorescence parameters, were valid indicators of widely variable N and P deficiency in the phytoplankton, and could be used to provide a promising tool in determining phytoplankton nutrient status. Contrary to my hopes, it did not appear that rETR–irradiance curves could discriminate between N and P deficiency. Identification of the most limiting nutrient still demanded additional information beyond the variable fluorescence measurements.

Journal

Aquatic EcologySpringer Journals

Published: Feb 4, 2014

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