Seasonal Cycles of Vitamin B₁₂, Thiamine and Biotin in Lake Sagami. Patterns of Their Distribution and Ecological Significance

Abstract

Seasonal cycles of vitamin B,,, thiamine and biotin in the water and sediment of Lake Sagami have been studied for two years in 1970 and 1971 a t monthly intervals. They were compared with other biological and chemical factors. Sediments were very rich in the three vitamins during the period of study and they were considered to be a vitamin source for the lake water. I n the surface water, fluctuations both of dissolved and particulate forms of the vitamins were found to correspond fairly with the succession of phytoplankton during these years. Particularly, the dissolved vitamin Bj2 concentration decreased remarkably a t the same time that the particulate form increased considerably in the surface water during periods of dominance by diatoms such as Cyclotella sp., hTitzschia acieularis, N . paleacea, N . actinastroides, N . palea, N . sp. and Synedru acus. From the results, the possible importance of vitamin Blz as one of the ecological factors in Lake Sagami was suggested and discussed.

Interactions between Diatoms and Bacteria

“…A commonly investigated interaction between bacteria and diatoms (and phytoplankton in general) is bacterial production of vitamins required by different diatom species. Early studies suggested a strong correlation between vitamin depletion in seawater and diatom bloom termination (129,130). Cobalamin, or vitamin B 12 , is by far the most studied vitamin in relation to diatom requirements (32,50,152).…”

Seasonal distribution of vitamin B12 in Lake Kinneret

“…This assumption has been based on the fact that many species of marine and freshwater phytoplankton cultured in the laboratory require vitamins such as vitamin B12, thiamine, and biotin for their growth (11,21,22). Few studies on B12 concentration in lakes have been published (3,9), and even less deal with the role of the vitamin in the ecology of lakes (17,18). The Dinoflagellates have been reported to be strongly dependent on the supply of B12 (23); in Lake Kinneret there is a bloom of Peridinium, which belongs to the Dinoflagellate group.…”

Thiamine dynamics in aquatic ecosystems and its biological implications

“…Light intensity and temperature are contributing factors to waterborne thiamine that further appear related to phytoplankton productivity. Positive correlations were reported between increased waterborne thiamine concentrations and increased abundance of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton (OHWADA and TAGA, 1973 ;NISHIJIMA and HATA, 1977). Increases in thiamine concentrations were correlated with blooms and success of algal populations (OHWADA and TAGA, 1973).…”

“…Positive correlations were reported between increased waterborne thiamine concentrations and increased abundance of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton (OHWADA and TAGA, 1973 ;NISHIJIMA and HATA, 1977). Increases in thiamine concentrations were correlated with blooms and success of algal populations (OHWADA and TAGA, 1973). Concentrations were also higher in summer than winter, and levels decline below the thermocline (NATARAJAN and DUGDALE, 1966;OHWA-DA and TAGA, 1973;.…”

“…Several studies have reported thiamine production and requirements among microbes and algae (KOFTEVA, 1970; CARLUCCI and BOWES, 1970a; NISHIJIMA el af., 1979). Thiamine concentrations in water, sediments and several biological matrices has been reported in other studies (HUTCHINSON, 1943;OHWADA et al, 1972;OHWADA and TAGA, 1973). The results of these and other investigations indicate a range of concentrations in different matrices, but information has not been integrated to develop an overall understanding of thiamine distribution patterns and dynamics in aquatic ecosystems.…”