Indicators of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Deficiency in Five Algae in Culture

Abstract

Five freshwater algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardi, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Anabaena variabilis, Pseudoanabaena catenata, and Cryptomonas erosa) were grown in batch culture without nutrient limitation and with various degrees of P and N limitation. They were analysed for several aspects of composition and some metabolic activities of potential use as indicators of nutrient deficiency to aid in establishing values indicative of the presence or absence of nutrient deficiency. Ratios of N/C, P/C, N/P, protein/C, carbohydrate/C, and protein/carbohydrate most clearly differentiated between no, P, and N deficiency. The initial saturated rate of phosphate uptake, P debt, and alkaline phosphatase activity increased distinctly in P deficiency in some of the algae but not in others. Similarly, the initial saturated rate of ammonium uptake and N debt rose in some but not all N-deficient algae. Cryptomonas erosa tended to form walled resting cells (cysts) during growth into P or N deficiency. Key words: algae, nitrogen, nutrient deficiency, nutrient uptake, phosphatase, phosphorus