Factors driving impacts of different nitrogen sources on freshwater and marine green algae
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The response of marine and freshwater algal species to both point and non-point sources of nitrogen have not been directly compared. We compared the photosynthetic yield response (Fv/Fm) of nitrogen-starved freshwater and marine green microalgae after a 3-day exposure to fourteen treated wastewater and nine aquaculture farm effluent as well as twenty-three soil erosion sources. The combination of inorganic and organic nutrients, organic carbon, and carbon-to‑nitrogen ratios were most highly correlated with algal responses across all nitrogen sources (R 2 = 0.69 for the freshwater species, and 0.63 for the marine species). The marine algal response also correlated with ammonium de-sorbed from sediment upon contact with marine waters. Our study highlights that organic carbon and salinity affect the bioavailability of nutrient sources for microalgae, although the mechanisms remain unclear. This provides new insights relevant to managing nitrogen pollution in both freshwater and coastal environments. • N-starved freshwater and marine algae differed in responses to nutrient sources. • Marine alga had higher growth responses than freshwater alga at lower N levels. • Higher responses of marine alga correlated with a higher NH4 desorption from soils. • Algal responses were driven by inorganic nutrients, organic N and C, and salinity.
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,630
OpenAlex ID: W4402861145