While 15N-labeled nitrogen (N) compounds have been used to quantify N uptake rates by plankton communities for decades, accurately ascribing those rates to individual populations or species has been a challenge. Here, we apply sorting flow cytometry combined with species-specific immuno-detection of a harmful alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to contrast the nutritional ecology of this alga with co-occurring picoplankton (picoeukaryotes, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria) during brown tides. The method was iteratively refined to yield close agreement (85101%) between plankton community 15N uptake quantified via traditional filtration and this novel sorting method. Sorting of plankton revealed that the ?15N values of A. anophagefferens and phycocyanin-containing cyanobacteria were more enriched (? 10) than the values of other picoeukaryotes and heterotrophic bacteria that decreased to?
DATA/REPORT DETAILS
Quantifying nitrogen assimilation rates of individual phytoplankton species and plankton groups during harmful algal blooms via sorting flow cytometry
- Published on:
- Science Area(s): Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation
- Region(s) of Study: New York, U.S. States and Territories
- Primary Contact(s): quay.dortch@noaa.gov
Citation:
Kang, Y., R.M. Kudela, and C.J. Gobler
Kang, Y., R.M. Kudela, and C.J. Gobler
Data/Report Type:
Sponsored Research
Sponsored Research
Description
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