ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
alpine lakes
;
nutrient limitation
;
iron
;
copper
;
phosphorus
;
Sierra Nevada
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Nutrient addition experiments conducted during the ice-free seasons of 1983 and 1984 in Gem Lake, an alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, indicate that algal biomass is limited by phosphorus, in combination with iron or copper. Phosphorus additions were always required to stimulate growth, but did not do so when phosphorus was the only nutrient added. Simultaneous additions of phosphorus and iron resulted in increased levels of chlorophyll, particulate carbon, particulate nitrogen and particulate phosphorus. Simultaneous additions of phosphorus and copper resulted in increases in chlorophyll, particulate nitrogen and particulate phosphorus, not in particulate carbon. Neither iron nor copper by itself stimulated growth. Particulate N : P ratios from all seasons in Gem Lake suggest that simultaneous micronutrient and phosphorus limitation exists throughout the summer, when nutrient and biomass levels remain low; limitation by phosphorus alone may appear in the fall and spring, when biomass and major ion concentrations increase dramatically.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00026834
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