A new method for estimating phyto plankton growth rates and carbon biomass
Redalje, D.G.; Laws, E.A.
Marine Biology 62(1): 73-79
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-3162 DOI: 10.1007/bf00396953
Accession: 004596427
A new method is described for the determination of oceanic phytoplankton growth rates and Ca biomass from Thalassiosira fluviatilis. This procedure is easy to apply and utilizes the labeling of chlorophyll a (chl a) with 14C. Pure chl a is isolated using 2-way TLC and the specific activity of chl a Ca is determined. The specific activity of chl a Ca becomes nearly equal to that of total phytoplankton Ca in incubations lasting 6-12 h and can be used to calculate phytoplankton growth rates and Ca biomass. Application of the method to the phytoplankton community in an eutrophic estuary in Hawaii, USA indicates that the cells are growing with a doubling time of .apprx. 2 days and that .apprx. 85% of the particulate Ca consists of phytoplankton Ca.
