Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton in freshwater and marine environments: A review of recent evidence on the effects of enrichment1

Abstract

Phytoplanktoncan become limited by the availability of nutrients when light and temperature are adequate and loss rates are not excessive. The current paradigms for nutrient limitations in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments are quite different. A review of the experimental and observational data used to infer P or N limitation of phytoplankton growth indicates that P limitation in freshwater environments can be demonstrated rigorously at several hierarchical levels of system complexity, from algal cultures to whole lakes. A similarly rigorous demonstration of N limitation has not been achieved for marine waters. Therefore, we conclude that the extent and severity of N limitation in the marine environment remain an open question. Culture studies have established that internal cellular concentrations of nutrients determine phytoplankton growth rates, and these studies have shown that it is often difficult to relate growth rates to external concentrations, especially in natural situations. This should lead to a greater reliance on the composition of particulate matter and biomass-based physiological rates to infer nutrient limitation. Such measurements have demonstrated their utility in a wide variety of freshwater and marine environments, and, most importantly, they can be applied to systems that are difficult to manipulate experimentally or budget accurately. Dissolved nutrient concentrations are most useful in determining nutrient loading rates of aquatic ecosystems. The relative proportions of nutrients supplied to phytoplankton can be a strong selective force shaping phytoplankton communities and affecting the biomass yield per unit of limiting nutrient.

Unifying ecological stoichiometry and metabolic theory to predict production and trophic transfer in a marine planktonic food web

“…300) indicated P limitation (e.g. [32]). The nutrient effect on biomass, however, was only evident at lower temperatures (128C and 188C), while highest phytoplankton biomass was observed at 248C irrespective of nutrient conditions.…”

Turbid waters and clarifying mussels:their moderation of empirical chl:nutrient relations in estuaries in Prince Edward Island, Canada

“…These estuaries show no evidence of I O~( T P (mg m")) stratifying with respect to salinity and temperature; thus, it is likely that the phytoplankton Generally, herbivory and turbidity account data) for the deficit between observed phytoplankton biomass and that expected from lake modorders of magnitude was unexpected a s phytoplankton els, with an average deficit of 32 % remaining. This is element requirements are fairly similar in lakes and as accurate as we can expect because PP itself has a estuaries (Hecky & Kilham 1988). The result cannot b e coefficient of variation of approximately 30% and w e attributed to estuarine flushing as this would result in a cannot estimate B with greater accuracy than PP.…”

“…In their comparative review of nutrient limitation in aquatic systems, Hecky & Kilham (1988) argued that, although N may well be the key limiting nutrient in coastal waters, the evidence is inconclusive as it 1s mostly derived from bioassays and observations of inorganic nutrient concentrations. Since this review, a series of mesocosm experiments on N versus P limitation have been conducted (e.g.…”

“…Based on the stochiometnc work of Redfield (1958), phosphorus (P) has been considered a key limiting nutrient in marine systems. Moreover, P control of phytoplankton biomass in many freshwater systems and similarities in phytoplankton physiology and nutrient requirements in both coastal and freshwater systems (Hecky & Kilham 1988) make P control of coastal systems intuitively appealing. Nevertheless, follow~ing Ryther & Dunstan's (1971) influential work, nitrogen (N) is generally seen a s the limiting nutrient in coastal systems and has received the bulk of research interest.…”

Variasi Komunitas Plankton Dan Parameter Oseanografi Di Daerah Penangkapan Ikan Pelagis Di Perairan Malang Selatan, Jawa Timur

“…Menurut [21], fitoplankton dapat tumbuh dengan baik pada konsentrasi nitrat 0,5 -2 mg/L dan fosfat 0,01 -0,1 mg/L. Lebih jauh [11] menyatakan bahwa perairanperairan yang terdapat upwelling adalah merupakan perairan yang kaya akan nutrien dan tingkat kesuburannya tinggi.…”