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Comparisons of nutrient uptake rates for Baltic macroalgae with different thallus morphologies

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Abstract

In-situ experiments were performed during different seasons to determine uptake rates of PO 43- , NH 4+ and NO 3- within ecologically representative ranges of nutrient concentrations, of dominant macroalgae in the Baltic Sea. Uptake rates were governed by nutrient concentrations, water temperature and thallus morphology, but not by the phylogenetic affinity of the species. Nitrogen uptake rates were always higher than those of phosphorus at the same concentrations, and NH 4+ −N uptake rates exceeded those of NO 3- −N. The lowest uptake rates occurred among the late successional, long-lived, coarse species with low surface: volume ratios (Fucus vesiculosus, Furcellaria lumbricalis andPhyllophora truncata). The highest uptake rates were measured for short-lived, opportunistic algae, filamentous or with numerous hairs, (Cladophora glomerata, Enteromorpha ahlneriana, Scytosiphon lomentaria, Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus andCeramium tenuicorne). The latter group also had the highest Vmax:kmax ratios, which indicates a more competitive advantage for nutrient uptake at low concentrations.

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  1. Askö Laboratory, Institute of Marine Ecology, University of Stockholm, S-10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    I. Wallentinus

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Communicated by T. Fenchel, Aarhus

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Wallentinus, I. Comparisons of nutrient uptake rates for Baltic macroalgae with different thallus morphologies. Mar. Biol. 80, 215–225 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02180189

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