Abstract
In order to assess possible phosphate limitation for the phytoplankton community of Lake Maarsseveen, two techniques (phosphate uptake experiments and bioassays) were employed simultaneously in February–March 1982. In that period the ambient phosphate concentration of the lake water was less than 0.03 µM P and the diatom Asterionella formosa constituted more than 90% of the phytoplankton population. The phosphate uptake experiments showed relatively high uptake capacities and low cell phosphorus contents for the natural phytoplankton community. This suggested phosphate limitation throughout the test period. The growth stimulation of the phytoplankton after enrichment with phosphate, however, only revealed phosphate limitation from the beginning of March and bioassays may therefore be regarded as a less sensitive method.
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Van Donk, E., Mur, L.R. & Ringelberg, J. A study of phosphate limitation in Lake Maarsseveen: phosphate uptake kinetics versus bioassays. Hydrobiologia 188, 201–209 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027786
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027786