ISSN:
1573-2932
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract A comparison of elutriate and sediments effects on phytoplankton photosynthesis was undertaken in view of the widespread use of sediment elutriates in bioassays. The logistic problem of measuring 14C in the presence of sediments was overcome by extracting 14C labelled photosynthate with DMSO. In Lake Ontario, sediments were more inhibitory than elutriates to photosynthesis, depressing Pmax, the light saturated photosynthesis by up to 50%. The less severe toxicity of elutriates is attributed mainly to binding and removal from solution of metals with phosphate, although phosphate rich elutriates may also allow algae to accumulate polyphosphate which binds, and thus detoxifies metals inside the cells. Also, any hydrophobic organic contaminants present in the sediments and toxic to algae are not likely to be extracted into elutriates. In P deficient phytoplankton populations, the high concentrations of phosphate in elutriates may lead to a temporary depression of photosynthesis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00283458
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