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Seasonal patterns of growth and nutrient status of the macroalga Adamsiella chauvinii (Rhodophyta) in soft sediment environments

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 01:55 authored by Kregting, LT, Hepburn, CD, Catriona HurdCatriona Hurd, Pilditch, CA
The seasonal growth and nutrient status of the temperate subtidal macroalga Adamsiella chauvinii was determined at three soft sediment sites with different ranges of tidally-driven current speeds. A. chauvinii thalli exhibited maximum growth rates during the late summer (February) and no evidence of nitrogen limited growth in summer as often exhibited by macroalgae growing on hard substrata in temperate environments. We suggest that growth was maintained during the summer period, when seawater nitrogen concentrations were low, by localized sources of ammonium probably produced by sediments and fauna within the canopy. Growth rates were up to 50% lower at the site with the slowest water velocity throughout most of the experimental period. However a greater tissue nitrogen content of A. chauvinii thalli at the slow flow site did not support evidence for mass-transfer limitation. It is suggested that as a consequence of slow flow, sedimentation on blade surfaces reduced the amount of light available for photosynthesis and growth. Lower growth rates at the slow flow site reduced metabolic demand for nutrients resulting in accumulation of tissue nitrogen and phosphate.

History

Publication title

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Volume

360

Pagination

94-102

ISSN

0022-0981

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Elsevier Science Bv

Place of publication

Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae

Rights statement

Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems

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