Effects of temperature, nitrogen supply, and tissue nitrogen on ammonium uptake rates of the chlorophyte seaweeds Ulva curvata and Codium decorticatum

N uptake rates of U. curvata were inversely correlated with tissue N and affected only slightly by temperature. There was no correlation of N uptake rate with tissue N in C. decorticatum. N uptake rates of C. decorticatum were affected by temperature but to a lesser degree than were growth rates. The proximal mechanism for seaweed's accumulation of N at low light and temperatures may be that N uptake is less limited by light and temperature than is growth. This in turn may partially compensate for the effects of reduced light and temperature on growth by increasing pigment and enzyme levels. N uptake rates of Ulva were higher than those of Codium, but N storage capacities were lower. -from Authors

Duke Scholars

Author Joseph S. Ramus Marine Science and Conservation