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Effect of nitrogen to phosphorus ratios on cell proliferation in marine micro algae

  • N:P Ratios, Nutrient Loads and Ecology
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Abstract

The ratio of nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) is known to affect cell proliferation of some marine micro algae. We evaluated the effect of N/P ratios on the proliferation and succession of phytoplankton using five marine micro algae species. We used two sources of nitrogen, NH4Cl (N1) and urea (N2), and a single source of phosphorous, NaH2PO4(P). The optimal N/P ratio that differed among the five species was affected by the source of nitrogen, being as follows (N1/P, N2/P in order): Thalassiosira sp. (30/1, 20/1), Heterosigma akashiwo (30/1, 30/1), Chroomonas salina (20/1, 30/1), Chaetoceros gracilis (40/1, 60/1), and Alexandrium sp. (10/1, 30/1). Thus, the source of nitrogen must be considered when analyzing the N/P ratio. Our results provide insight for predicting phytoplankton succession in coastal waters and may be used to forecast the potential risk of harmful algal blooms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China

    Qingtian Zhang  (张青田) & Guikun Hu  (胡桂坤)

  2. College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China

    Qingtian Zhang  (张青田)

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  1. Qingtian Zhang  (张青田)
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  2. Guikun Hu  (胡桂坤)
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Correspondence to Qingtian Zhang  (张青田).

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Supported by the Initial Fund for Introduced Talent from the Tianjin University of Science and Technology (No. 20090413), and the National Key Technology R&D Program (No. 2010BAC68B04)

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Zhang, Q., Hu, G. Effect of nitrogen to phosphorus ratios on cell proliferation in marine micro algae. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 29, 739–745 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-011-0503-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-011-0503-y

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