QUANTITATIVE CATION REQUIREMENTS OF SEVERAL GREEN AND BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE²

Abstract

In contrast with studies which have based essential element requirements of algae on nutrient solution concentrations, in this investigation the requirements of each of 6 species of green and blue-green algae for calcium, magnesium, and potossium were quantitatively evaluated in terms of critical cell concentrations of the 3 cations. A critical cell concentration was considered the minimum cell content of an element which permitted maximum or near maximum total growth of an organism. In comparison with the needs of angiosperm crop plants, the requirements of all 6 species for calcium were extremely low (critical cell contents of 0.06% or less, oven-dry basis); requirements for magnesium were equal to or only slightly less than in higher plants (0.15-0.30%) with the exception of Scenedesmus quadricauda (0.05%); and the requirements for potassium varied greatly, from critical levels less than the average values established for higher plants (0.25-0.50%) to values equal to or in excess of higher plant averages (0.80-2.40%). The nutrition of S. quadricauda was of particular interest because of extremely low requirements for all 3 cations. The results provide a more precise and meaningful expression of the essential cation requirements of algae than have previous data. The results also suggest differences in the physiology and functions of cations in the algae studied and in angiosperms which seem worthy of further investigation.

Soil Algae in Field and Forest Environments

“…Gerloff and Fishbeck (1969) reported that requirements for critical cell concentrations of magnesium are higher than for Ca or K in 3 bluegreens and 2 of 3 green algae studied, while requirements for calcium were very low and requirements for potassium were variable. As certain of the bluegreen algae (Nostoc and Anabaena) maintain their integrity by mucilage, they probably would not fragment in response to precipitation.…”

Calcium signalling and calcium channels: Evolution and general principles

“…Hence, the very first cells had acquired a very low Ca 2+ content in their cytoplasms and lived in a low Ca 2+ environment. Indeed, even today, some organisms like the cyanobacteria (which are probably the most ancient organisms that still live today) have a low Ca 2+ requirement and are alkalophilic (Brock, 1973; Gerloff and Fishbeck, 1969; Kazmierczak et al, 2013). Low Ca 2+ in the cytosol of primeval cells is also compatible with energetics based around ATP and the usage of DNA/RNA for genetic encoding, because both cannot tolerate high Ca 2+ concentrations; at the levels above 10 μM of Ca 2+ , this ion induces the precipitation of phosphates, causes aggregation of proteins and nucleic acids and disrupts lipid membranes (Case et al, 2007; Jaiswal, 2001; Williams, 2007).…”

Colonisation végétale des sédiments exondés lors de la vidange du réservoir de Puyvalador : cycle biogéochimique des principaux éléments nutritifs

“…Quatre éléments majeurs (P, Ca, Mg, K) et deux mineurs (Fe, Mn) ont été retenus en considérant le rôle prioritaire qu'ils jouent à côté de l'azote (N) et du carbone (C) dans le cycle biogéochimique et les échanges sédiments -eau (Mas 1959, Smith 1962, , Gerloff & Fishbeck 1969, Hutchinson 1975, Kem-Hansen & Dawson 1978, Allenby 1981, Petitjean 1981, Gerloff & Krombholz 1996.…”